'I'm going to fight for my ground': Iowa residents express concerns for proposed co2 pipeline
Iowa landowners were invited to learn more about a controversial carbon capture pipeline Sunday. The group "Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County" held a town hall on Summit Carbon Solution's CO2 project.
Iowa landowners were invited to learn more about a controversial carbon capture pipeline Sunday. The group "Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County" held a town hall on Summit Carbon Solution's CO2 project.
Iowa landowners were invited to learn more about a controversial carbon capture pipeline Sunday. The group "Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County" held a town hall on Summit Carbon Solution's CO2 project.
Iowa landowners were invited to learn more about a controversial carbon capture pipeline on Sunday.
The group "Concerned Citizens of Pottawattamie County" held a town hall on Summit Carbon Solution's CO2 project.
The company's pipeline would stretch across five states including Nebraska and Iowa.
Even though it was a Sunday afternoon, there were plenty of people at the town hall in Oakland Iowa.
Residents voiced concerns about things like their land, animals, health, and liability. But the company behind the project calls it a win for Iowa.
There were many questions and concerns on Sunday from people who live in the path of the proposed carbon pipeline.
Shelby County farmer Jann Reinig and her husband have had their land for around 60 years.
"My big concerns is that my soil and my water, I have tile mines, I have terraces that they will be coming through," said Reinig.
Another concern she has with the project, her insurance company will not let her get liability insurance on the piece of land.
"I could be sued. I could be held responsible for an accident or hopefully no one would be injured. But you never know. So I could lose everything that I own," said Reinig.
She wasn't the only one.
One rural physician in Minden says he's worried for many reasons.
Including what the response would be if something happened.
"Volunteer fire departments are not prepared for this type of problem. They don't have the equipment to handle it. And the training is nonexistent at this point," said Dr. Glenn Hurst.
Those against it are backing a bill they hope would make things more difficult for Summit Carbon Solutions, who proposes the pipeline.
HF 565 moved to the senate commerce committee, it has to be passed out by March 31.
"It would require pipeline companies to get 90% voluntary easements before they could even consider asking for eminent domain," said Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement's Ava Auen-Ryan.
In a statement to KETV, Summit Carbon Solutions says it's already crossed that threshold in Pottawattamie County.
"This extraordinary level of support shows that Iowans believe our project will ensure the long-term viability of the ethanol industry, strengthen the agricultural marketplace for farmers, and generate tens of millions of dollars in new revenue for local communities across the Midwest."
But people like Reinig, aren't backing down.
"I don't know how it's going to turn out, but I said I'm not going to just give it to them, but I'm going to fight for my ground," said Reinig.