Floyd County Makes First Payment for Carbon Pipeline Legal Representation

Last month, Floyd County Supervisors voted to hire a Des Moines law firm to help them establish more local control over the possible construction of underground carbon capture pipelines in the County.

With both Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures wanting to build pipelines in Floyd County, the County contracted with Ahlers and Cooney, PC, to provide a strong voice during the permitting process through the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB).

At their regular meeting Monday (02.13), the Board approved the first payments for their legal counsel totalling about $7000, which Supervisor Chair Mark Kuhn noted would be paid with County ARPA funds.

Supervisor Jim Jorgensen, who abstained when it came to the Board vote on hiring a pipeline attorney, said other future costs could also come with the County’s approach to regulating the carbon pipelines.

Tim Whipple with Ahlers and Cooney told Supervisors in January that the County could expect to pay upwards of $10,000 each for legal services regarding zoning ordinances and for right-of-ways for pipelines to cross County roads. He said estimating legal fees in IUB proceedings is harder to calculate.