Iowa Legislature’s land use priorities lack common sense

Republicans running the Iowa Legislature have some strange ideas about private property rights.

On one hand, they are giving the go-ahead to bills making it harder for rural land to be used for renewable energy and conservation projects. On the other hand, they are snubbing a bill that would protect farmers’ property from condemnation by pipelines serving the ethanol industry.

• Solar energy — Senate File 2127 would put new limits on solar energy arrays. Under the bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, commercial solar installations could not be placed on land that is rated as having high suitability for farming. It would also bar installations within 1,250 feet of the nearest residence.

That bill was advanced from the Senate Agriculture Committee this month over the objections of both environmentalists and utility companies.

• Public land acquisition — Senate Study Bill 3134 would restrict land purchases by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and county conservation boards. The proposal from Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Buckeye, would cap purchase prices between 65 and 80 percent of the fair market value, depending on the parcel’s potential for farming.

The legislation has approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee despite opposition from conservationists and county governments.

• Eminent domain — Senate File 2160 would have removed a portion of Iowa Code allowing utility companies to use eminent domain to condemn agriculture land. It’s a response to proposed carbon pipeline projects in Iowa, at least one of which is seeking eminent domain authority.

Unlike the other two land use bills mentioned above, this one was never even considered by a legislative committee. After last week’s legislative funnel deadline, it is likely dead for the year.

GOP policymakers say they’re concerned about the possibility of non-farmers driving up the cost of farmland. But when you point one finger, there are three pointing back at you.

The price of land in Iowa has increased significantly since the early 2000s, in tandem with the national volume of ethanol produced, according to figures shared by University of Iowa research engineer Chris Jones. That suggest ethanol is distorting the market.

The apparent dissonance in Iowa lawmakers’ preferred bills shows this isn’t about private property rights. Instead it’s about propping up a specific very specific vision of Iowa farming, heavily dependent on corn that is mostly used to make fuel and not food.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com