State regulators have granted Summit Carbon Solutions a permit to construct the Iowa portion of its planned $8 billion carbon capture pipeline. This decision formalizes a June ruling and brings the Ames-based company closer to realizing its ambitious project.
The Iowa Utilities Commission announced that Summit had substantially met the requirements for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit. While some issues still need to be addressed, the commission stated they could be resolved after the permit is issued.
The company hailed the permit as a significant milestone, benefiting farmers, ethanol producers, and the development of sustainable aviation fuel.
Summit has promised farmers and ethanol producers in five states, including Iowa, that the 2,500-mile pipeline will qualify their renewable fuel for billions of dollars in federal tax incentives.
Iowa, the nation’s largest ethanol and corn producer, could see a substantial boost to its agricultural economy.
The Iowa Utilities Commission’s decision has sparked controversy, particularly due to Summit’s ability to use eminent domain to acquire necessary land. Safety concerns have also been raised citing a 2020 carbon dioxide pipeline rupture in Mississippi that affected 50 people.
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Landowners have expressed worries about potential damage to underground drainage tiles during pipeline construction.
The Sierra Club and other opponents have pledged to appeal the decision, citing safety concerns, overwhelming opposition, and the lack of safety rules in the permit.
Sherri Webb, a landowner opposing the project, questioned the purpose of the commission’s conditions for the permit, as Summit has not made significant changes.
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While Summit has expressed confidence in obtaining required insurance, the commission noted that it did not consider the provided statement as proof of insurance.
Opponents have labeled the project as a “pipeline to nowhere” due to the lack of construction approval in South Dakota and North Dakota. The South Dakota Supreme Court recently ruled against Summit’s use of eminent domain for land surveying.
The Iowa commission has imposed several requirements on Summit, including conducting X-ray inspections of welds and testing pipeline coatings, providing CO2 monitors for emergency vehicles and alarm systems along the pipeline route for leak detection.
