Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Approve Resolution Objecting to IUB Ruling to Enact Eminent Domain

(Red Oak) The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution objecting to the Iowa Utilities Board’s authority to enact eminent domain within Montgomery County for privately owned and operated carbon dioxide pipelines, according to County Auditor Jill Ozuna.

On June 25, the Iowa Utilities Board approved the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline and granted the company the authority to use eminent domain to acquire the landowner’s property. The company plans to begin construction next year. The pipeline is intended to transport liquefied carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in Iowa and neighboring states to a location in North Dakota. It would span over 2,000 miles, crossing five states, with nearly 700 miles in Iowa, including Montgomery County.

Summit has partnered with over 50 ethanol plants in planning the pipeline and reports having signed voluntary easement agreements with around three-quarters of the landowners along the Iowa route.

Additionally, the Board also unanimously approved claims with a correction for $112,370.75.