Northeast Iowa’s Summit expansion meetings begin next week

The Iowa Utilities Commission has approved dates for Summit Carbon Solutions' public information meetings in counties where the company's pipeline project is proposed to expand.

Summit wants to build a 2,500-mile pipeline network in five states to transport captured carbon dioxide from nearly 60 ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground storage. About half of those ethanol sites are in Iowa.

A new permit, issued last week by the commission, covers the company's initial request to build about 690 miles of pipe in the state. The permit allows Summit to use eminent domain to force unwilling landowners to provide easements, with compensation, for the route. Summit is seeking further permits to expand the project by more than 350 miles in Iowa to connect additional ethanol plants.

Summit is in the process of holding meetings in 23 counties that will be impacted by the proposed expansion. These meetings aim to provide detailed information and address questions regarding the expansion of the hazardous liquid pipeline project.

In Northeast Iowa, meetings will be held Sept. 9-11 in Buchanan, Bremer, Butler, Fayette and Floyd counties. Those include:

According to a news release from the company, the meetings are crucial for community engagement and provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the project, its benefits and the steps being taken to ensure safety and environmental protection.