Summit Carbon Revises Iowa Pipeline Route Amid Eminent Domain Pushback

Summit Carbon Solutions has removed eight Iowa counties from its proposed carbon pipeline route, but landowners say opposition to eminent domain powers remains far from over.

(P&GJ) — Summit Carbon Solutions has revised its proposed Iowa carbon pipeline route, eliminating more than 200 miles of planned pipeline and removing eight counties from the project, according to KTIV. Despite the changes, Iowa landowners opposed to the project say their fight against the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines is continuing.

The updated route removes Shelby, Pottawattamie, Montgomery, Adams, Page, Fremont, Mitchell and Worth counties from the proposal. Summit said the changes are intended to reduce impacts on property owners, but some residents say the revisions only provide temporary relief.

Landowners Pat Mackin and Lisa Ritzert, who have spent years lobbying lawmakers over eminent domain concerns, said they remain worried the pipeline could eventually return to their areas. Ritzert said the removal of certain counties from the project does not guarantee they will stay excluded permanently.

The debate over eminent domain for private carbon capture pipelines has become a major political issue in Iowa, particularly in the governor’s race, where candidates from both parties have voiced opposition to granting such authority to private developers. According to KTIV, opponents say they plan to continue pushing for legislative action to block the practice.

The revised route must still receive approval from the Iowa Utilities Commission before the project can move forward into neighboring states, including Nebraska and Wyoming.