Summit begins outreach for expansion pipeline in Iowa; both

Summit Carbon Solutions plans to build a massive carbon sequestration pipeline in Iowa and surrounding states, including Nebraska, which the company has discussed at community information meetings across Iowa over the past few weeks. proposed expansion.

Affected landowners and opponents of the scheme were also in attendance, many of whom posed a long list of questions and concerns to Carbon Summit delegates.

The company followed the same process to obtain the original project, which included more than 680 miles of pipeline in Iowa alone. officially recognized Approved by the Iowa Public Utilities Commission in late August. This time, however, the landowners know more about the project, which means the two sides can expand the conversation beyond logistics.

“The first time we did this was for a project introduction,” said Sabrina Ahmed Zenor, director of community relations at Summit Carbon. “Now people have a better understanding of the project, so we can tell more about the ‘why’ because the ‘how’ is already understood.”

The meeting began on Aug. 26 and ended on Sept. 20, with representatives from Summit and the Iowa Public Utilities Commission visiting the 23 counties that will be affected by the additional 330 miles of pipeline in the second phase.

Ahmed Zeno said the company is focusing on the community benefits of the program and telling the stories of Iowa farmers and biorefineries. The company provided county-specific slides at the meeting and estimated the project’s tax benefits.

“We thought we needed to tell the story of the benefits of this project, and that’s what we started across the board,” said Ahmed Zeno.

The expansion will connect the pipeline to 17 additional biorefinery facilities in Iowa. The entire project will transport sequestered carbon from the ethanol refinery to underground storage north dakotawill be connected to a total of 57 refineries in five states.

Emma Schmit, director of “Pipeline Warriors” bold allianceOpponents of the pipeline are better positioned to oppose the expansion because of everything they’ve learned from Summit Carbon’s existence over the past 2.5 years, he said.

“This is a fairly new technology to the world, so we were just flying by the seat of our pants for a while, but now we’ve been able to correct that,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the Bold Alliance strategy advocates for landowners to learn about the project and evaluate what is best for their families — though she hopes that means they refuse to sign easement agreements.

“We’re here to help defend and protect and stand with landowners, not just stop pipelines,” Schmidt said.

summit carbon Eminent domain power available Remaining easements for the first phase of the plan were obtained, but construction cannot begin in Iowa until the plan is approved in the Dakotas.

After an informational meeting with the Public Utilities Commission, Summit Carbon can begin surveying the land and obtaining voluntary easements for the second phase of the plan.

“This is always when people rush to us,” Schmidt said.

Land surveyors have the authority to survey private land, but only if they have given proper notice, but Schmidt said landowners may refuse access and need court injunction. She urged landowners to follow surveyors on their land.

“Asking questions, taking notes, those are all good things,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt and Ahmed Zeno said the community turned out well for the meeting. Scores of community members and local officials lined up at the microphone to lay out a list of questions and complaints about Summit Carbon.

“There’s definitely a lot of tension in these rooms,” Schmidt said.

Landowners asked questions about water use, contamination and who would be responsible if a pipe leaked. Summit Carbon Solutions has team members from various departments available to answer questions and explain the project.

“We like to lead with the facts and we firmly believe that once someone knows the facts, we can get to the point where we can have an open dialogue,” Ahmed Zeno said.

“The purpose of these meetings is to introduce ourselves to the landowners within our corridor so they understand their rights … and we believe that is happening in a productive way.”

This article was first published in Iowa Capital Dispatchis the Nebraska Examiner’s sister site in the national newsroom network.