Fate of Carbon Pipelines in Iowa Far From Decided

The fate of underground carbon capture pipelines in Iowa is far from decided. That’s according to three north Iowa state legislators.

Last week, the Iowa House decisively passed a bill to require at least 90% of miles along proposed carbon pipeline routes be voluntarily secured before the government’s eminent domain authority could be used to seize the rest. 

The measure now goes to the Senate, where District 29 State Senator Sandy Salmon of Waverly says the bill is not likely to advance, unless people strongly encourage legislators otherwise.

Salmon, who said she would likely support the House bill, made her comments to an audience of about 50 people Friday during a lunch at the NIACC Center in Charles City, co-hosted by Floyd County Farm Bureau, Butler County REC and the Charles City Area Chamber of Commerce.

District 58 State Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City told the crowd that regardless of the legislation outcomes, the future of carbon pipelines is likely headed to the courtroom.

District 60 State Representative Jane Bloomingdale, who now represents the northwest corner of Floyd County, told the audience that last week’s House bill regarding eminent domain is a conversation starter and that the conversation on carbon pipelines is far from over. 

Floyd County is one of a handful of counties in Iowa being targeted for construction of two carbon pipelines,