The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Sierra Club's Iowa Chapter, who are usually in disagreement, have surprisingly come together on a common issue obtaining financial information from Summit Carbon Solutions.
Summit has proposed constructing a $5.5 billion carbon capture pipeline, which aims to capture carbon dioxide from 13 ethanol plants in Iowa and transport it to North Dakota. Before the company can proceed with the pipeline, both groups want to review the agreements between Summit and the ethanol companies involved.
This information is critical as it will help them decide if the pipeline should be built and if Summit should have the power of eminent domain to compel landowners to grant access for the project.
Summit's extensive plan includes capturing carbon dioxide from 13 ethanol plants, converting it into liquid form, and transporting it over 700 miles across Iowa to store it deep underground in North Dakota. This is part of their larger vision for a 2,000-mile pipeline that spans Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
The Farm Bureau and the Sierra Club have separately requested the financial data, but much of it was hidden or redacted, despite promises of confidentiality.
Summit Carbon Solutions has stated that the concealed information contains unrelated trade secrets not relevant to their current request to the Iowa Utilities Board for pipeline construction.
This unexpected alliance underscores the significance of the pipeline project and its impact on various stakeholders, including farmers and environmental activists. Both groups seek greater clarity on the project's financial aspects to ensure its responsible implementation.
Photo Credit: flickr-maureen
Categories: Iowa, Business