Grant counties wary of pipelines local control

Opponents of Summit Carbon Solutions planned 700-mile carbon capture pipeline process believe they may have found a new way local governments to restrict the project.

Local governments have been unsuccessful in efforts to restrict the pipeline itself, which captures CO2 from 13 Iowa ethanol plants and transports it to North Dakota for deep underground storage. Although regulators in South Dakota and North Dakota have rejected Summit’s initial applications.

But what if local officials could deny building permits for the carbon capture facilities built at ethanol plants. Hardin County Attorney Darrell Meyer recently filed a motion with the Iowa Utilities Board asking whether capture facilities are separate from the pipeline itself, making it subject to local permitting.

We have our doubts the utilities board will see it Meyer’s way, but we hope he succeeds. Not only because we believe local residents should have more say over their health, safety, land and livelihoods, but also because we’re tired of watching the state grab more and more power away from local governments.

In recent years, local control — the ability for elected bodies to create regulations tailored to the local areas — has been eroded, not enhanced.

Cities are barred from passing ordinances prohibiting landlords from discriminating against renters who receive federal housing assistance. Nor can they regulate in what parts of town fireworks can be sold. County auditors are now micromanaged by the state as they carry our election duties.

Then there’s the granddaddy of local control grabs — the power to decide where large livestock confinement facilities can be built. The state tossed counties a week “Master Matrix” scoring system to evaluate confinement projects. But It’s been little more than putting lipstick on a pig as the number of large confinements increases. There’s nothing neighbors can do to stop them.

The carbon pipeline is yet another instance when large agribusiness interests likely will get their way despite the strong objections of landowners and others. Money talks, but the voices of Iowans and their local elected officials are not heard.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com