No eminent domain for CO2 pipeline

Landowners targeted by the threat of eminent domain have finally been able to read the “solution” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh has been developing for months. The main takeaway? When you refuse to meet with the people affected, you get a bad “solution.”

For five years, landowners have been pushing for a common sense solution — no eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. A simple “solution” --- build as many CO2 pipelines as you want, however do it on the property of consenting landowners. HF2104, which passed the House 64-28, protects our constitutional property rights and addresses the concerns landowners have been raising for half a decade. Klimesh’s bill, SF2067? Not at all.

The Klimesh bill does not stop the use of eminent domain. Summit Carbon Solutions testified that eminent domain was a “last resort” when they requested eminent domain powers on more than 850 parcels for phase one. Klimesh's bill would not stop the same scenario from replaying on phase two. Klimesh's bill would allow eminent domain to be used with all land owners opposing easements on their property.

Landowners aren’t asking for anything extreme. We’re asking to level the playing field between landowners and multi-billion-dollar corporations. If a CO2 pipeline truly has broad support from the people, then voluntary easements should be easy to secure. Protecting private property is a core Iowa value. It’s time for legislation that reflects it. Pass HF2104.

Mike Henning

Impacted landowner

Waterloo