Nearly 40 Iowa Republican lawmakers plan to ask federal courts to rule that state regulators’ recent approval of a carbon capture pipeline through Iowa was unconstitutional.
The group of lawmakers plans to announce their federal lawsuit during a news conference Wednesday in Charles City.
The Iowa Utilities Commission last month granted a permit to Summit Carbon Solutions to build a carbon dioxide capture pipeline in the state, capping three years of proceedings and debate and marking the first major approval for the project that crosses into five states. However, Iowa regulators said that construction of Summit’s 690-mile route through Iowa could not begin until the other states also approve.
The group of Iowa Republican lawmakers, in a news release, called the pipeline project “illegal and unconstitutional” and the state panel’s approval “disastrous and dangerous” and “a clear violation of the rights of Iowa landowners.”
The lawmakers say the pipeline project presents potential safety risks, and argue the state panel’s approval “prioritizes corporate interests in tax credits over the safety, property rights, and well-being of Iowa's citizens.”
The lawmakers said their legal argument will say the Iowa Utilities Commission’s approval was made without proper consideration of constitutional requirements or the “severe negative impact” the pipeline project will have on Iowa landowners and communities, and that safety concerns have been overlooked.
“The Iowa Utilities Commission’s approval of this project is a gross overstep of authority, trampling on the rights of our landowners and putting the safety of Iowans at risk,” said Iowa Rep. Charley Thomson, a Republican from Charles City and a leading member of the group, which is calling itself the Republican Legislative Intervenors. “This CO2 pipeline is not only unethical but unconstitutional, and we will not stand by while the safety of our citizens is jeopardized.”
The lawmakers also said they have held “several meetings” to discuss possible new legislation to reform Iowa’s eminent domain laws and “to correct deficiencies” in state laws that govern the Iowa Utilities Commission, whose three members are appointed by the governor.
"We are determined to fight this reckless decision in the courts and in the General Assembly,” Thomson said in a statement. “This isn’t just about stopping one pipeline. It’s about safeguarding our communities, our land, and our constitutional rights from future overreach.”
Reynolds leads trade mission to India
Gov. Kim Reynolds is leading a trade mission to India aimed at strengthening Iowa’s trade and investment relationships with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, her office announced Tuesday.
Joining Reynolds on the trip is a delegation that includes Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and agricultural and business leaders.
The trip is organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service.
“With India’s tremendous growth and massive consumer market, this trade mission is an excellent opportunity to promote Iowa as an investment destination for Indian companies — particularly those in advanced manufacturing, biotech, finance, and insurance — and a strong trade partner in agricultural exports,” Reynolds said in a statement.
During the 10-day trip, which started Tuesday, Reynolds will stop in Delhi and Mumbai to meet with Indian government officials and American business leaders. Reynolds is scheduled to deliver a keynote address Thursday at the U.S.-India Business Council’s 49th India Ideas Summit, which will be carried live on CNBC India. The governor also is expected to visit the Seghal Foundation, known for its work in clean water initiatives, promoting education for girls and women and working to improve the quality of life of rural communities in India.
Naig previously has said the visit would be an opportunity to strengthen Iowa’s agricultural relationship with India, which has a growing need that Naig said can be met by Iowa producers.
“India already has a growing appetite for ethanol and livestock feed, and recently opened the door for Iowa pork exports, so this connection offers a significant upside for Iowa,” he said in a statement in April announcing the trade mission.
Last year, Reynolds completed a two-week overseas trade mission to Italy, Kosovo and Israel.
Scott County residents have more time to apply for disaster aid
Iowa Workforce Development has extended the deadline for eligible Scott County residents who lost wages due to severe storms and flooding in June to apply for disaster unemployment assistance.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 28. Individuals can receive up to 27 weeks of benefits as long their unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. More information can be found at workforce.iowa.gov/unemployment/dua or by calling 1-866-239-0843 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Individuals who may be eligible for assistance, must file a claim online with Iowa Workforce Development at bit.ly/4ecY3tq.
Farmers, landowners can apply for crop insurance discount
Iowa farmers and landowners who plant cover crops this fall may once again apply for a $5-per-acre discount on their spring crop insurance premiums.
The sign-up period begins Dec. 2 and will close Jan. 24, 2025. Participants can learn more about enrollment by visiting CleanWaterIowa.org or by contacting their crop insurance agent.
Crop insurance provides protection for farmers after bad weather impacts their crops. And cover crops can help prevent erosion and improve water quality and soil health, among other benefits.
“The Crop Insurance Discount Program has proven to be successful at encouraging cover crop usage while also helping farmers save money on their crop insurance premiums,” Agriculture Secretary Mike Secretary Naig said in a statement. "Given the numerous benefits of cover crops, including improved water quality, enhanced soil health, forage for livestock, and various other agronomic advantages, we continue to see increasing cover crop acres in Iowa."
Now in its eighth year, to date nearly 2,000 farmers have enrolled more than 1.2 million acres of cover crops in the program.
Funding will be provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency as an additional insurance premium discount through normal crop insurance processes.The premium reduction will be available for fall-planted cover crops with a spring-planted cash crop.
Some policies may be excluded, and participating farmers must follow good farming practices required by their policy and work with their insurance agent to maintain eligibility, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
