Iowa House bill would limit when and how companies build carbon capture pipelines
A new House bill would limit when and how companies can build carbon capture pipelines.
In the bill, companies would have to meet new federal safety guidelines and comply with all existing zoning rules in order to get a permit.
The lead House Republican says the main goal is to protect Iowa landowners.
“Let’s talk about these property owners that don’t want this pipeline under their farms. What about them?” Iowa House Republican Rep. Steven Holt said.
Holt is leading the charge on a new bill that would limit carbon capture pipeline projects.
The plan would strengthen protections for Iowa landowners. It also says that if a company wants to use eminent domain, they would have to obtain 90% of the miles needed for the project through voluntary easements.
“We’re trying to get the protections in place that we believe we could get support for and get it to the governor’s desk. And so that, along with Farm Bureau’s recommendation is why we landed at 90 percent,” Holt said.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she's open to conversation around the bill.
“When, you know, eminent domain has to be used, it should be used as a last resort. We should make sure that they’re fairly compensated. I’m sure there’s areas where we could tweak and make it better,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds wants to keep the ethanol industry top of mind.
“When 55 percent of our farmers’ corn goes to ethanol and renewable fuels, I need to make sure that’s part of the conversation that we’re having,” Reynolds said.
Iowa’s renewable fuels industry says without a pipeline, the state’s ethanol production could shrink by 75%
Their study also shows that blocking carbon capture pipelines could cost Iowa $10 billion in revenue every year.
Holt says he’s not opposed to pipelines, but he says he’s fighting for his constituents who want more protections for the land they own.
“The use of eminent domain should be for highways. It should be for essential government services and government infrastructure that serves the public good. And this is a very different project that does not meet those requirements,” Holt said.