Des Moines Carbon capture pipelines have become an issue of great contention in Iowa politics, with state lawmakers who once supported curbing their use likely accepting that restrictions may not pass this year and GOP presidential candidates largely staying clear of discussing them.
Ramaswamy has taken aim at Republican lawmakers for not opposing these projects with enough force. Under the Fifth Amendment, government may only seize private property for “public use” if it’s essential and convenient.
Eminent Domain
Pipeline projects to capture carbon dioxide from ethanol plants for underground storage has become a source of contention between Republican legislators who oppose using eminent domain and environmental activists who view the projects as solutions to global climate change. Iowa law stipulates the state utilities board may use eminent domain to acquire land for hazardous liquid pipelines; however opponents maintain CO2 pipelines do not meet that threshold.
Vivek Ramaswamy, the Republican presidential candidate from Iowa, has used this issue as an issue to his campaign for president. He has repeatedly attacked Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP leaders from Iowa who support CO2 pipelines as being part of an “anti-property seizure agenda”.
Reilly says she supports the need for a sustainable energy economy but opposes pipeline projects, fearing they could reduce her farm’s Corn Suitability Rating and have other detrimental impacts.
Climate Change
Ramaswamy has made eminent domain a central issue of his campaign, using it to criticize Republican leadership and presidential candidates who support pipeline projects for supporting them and offering promises such as increased profits from ethanol sales and lower emissions in order to combat climate change. He has asked them all to stop these projects, which supporters claim would increase ethanol profits and decrease carbon emissions, in order to protect Iowa communities from further development projects that threaten them all.
Pipelines would transport carbon dioxide collected from ethanol and industrial plants across Iowa and into North Dakota at high pressure, using an entirely new infrastructure that hasn’t been extensively tested here in America.
Poweshiek County landowners such as Reilly are concerned that pipelines pose safety threats in case of leak or explosion, with first responders and local residents not equipped to deal with potential danger. They suggest companies pay for costs related to training and equipment needed, and question whether their policies provide enough coverage in case a catastrophe does strike.
Ethanol
Pipelines installed across Iowa to capture carbon dioxide from ethanol plants are designed to transport it for permanent underground storage in North Dakota and Illinois – thanks to support from several global climate change organizations.
Ethanol producers boast their process reduces emissions by 44-52% when compared to gasoline production and reduces land use, in addition to saving natural gas and water costs while yielding 15 percent more ethanol from each bushel of corn than 20 years ago.
Ramaswamy is among several candidates addressing the pipeline issue in Iowa, where many farmers who could see their property taken for the pipelines oppose them. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, who may run for president herself in 2020, has yet to address it directly in public; she recently endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis but he’s yet to answer questions regarding pipelines; nor has she answered whether she supports restricting private companies’ eminent domain authority.
Taxpayers
As Iowa’s ethanol industry struggles against carbon capture pipelines, property rights issues have garnered national attention. Ohio-based entrepreneur and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy is making property rights central to his campaign as Ohio Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP leaders voice opposition against such projects. Ohio entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy believes it would be unconstitutional for private companies to force landowners into giving easements voluntarily; therefore urging Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and other Republicans leaders to oppose such projects as well as encouraging Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and other GOP leaders speak out against such projects.
He maintains they are disregarding the concerns of state taxpayers, including many farmers, regarding climate change. “It would be morally wrong and unconstitutional for any private company to seize your property under the pretext of climate change mitigation,” said his client.
Iowa law states that pipeline companies can obtain eminent domain only if their project “promotes public convenience and necessity.” Critics argue that because CO2 emissions from ethanol plants would be transported to storage facilities in North Dakota via these pipelines, their inclusion should not qualify. Accordingly, Ramaswamy is filing legal challenges against Summit Carbon Solutions’ application.
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