Legislators, look past Governor on eminent domain

Is Gov. Kim Reynolds using the weight of her office to tip the scales in favor of Summit Carbon Solutions? Landowners with property targeted for eminent domain by Summit ask this question because we’ve unsuccessfully sought legislative relief the past four sessions. Strangely, all our bills that pass out of the House die in the Senate without so much as a floor debate.

Reynolds is a protégé of former Gov. Terry Branstad who now serves as senior policy advisor for Summit. Her former Chief of Staff, Jake Ketzner, is Summit’s VP of government affairs. Additionally, former Summit Ag executive, Sen. Mike Bousselot, chairs the Senate Commerce Committee — where eminent domain reform legislation goes to die.

Public records show the founder of Summit Carbon Solutions, Bruce Rastetter, contributed over $160,000 to Reynolds’ campaigns. FOIA requests obtained by landowner attorney Brian Jorde reveal Gov. Kim Reynolds and Bruce Rastetter exchanged eight hundred emails between 2020-2022. Another FOIA request in 2024 by Bold Alliance yielded 20,000 possible documents.

In contrast, Gov. Reynolds has not met with landowners for four years despite our ongoing requests. She will not address our concerns about private property rights, CO2 pipeline safety, or soil loss.

An Iowa Poll shows nearly 80% of Iowans disapprove of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. Legislators need to look past the Governor’s office to their constituents and enact eminent domain reform because Gov. Reynolds’ record speaks for itself.

Bonnie Ewoldt

Milford