Different bills that have been discussed and passed between the Iowa House and Senate concerns the use of eminent domain and underground carbon dioxide pipeline projects in the state.

The House passed House File 639 that deals with preventing the use of eminent domain on agricultural land when it comes to underground carbon dioxide pipeline projects, such as one that is being proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions. However, when the bill passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, it included several amendments. 

Sources say that Senate Commerce Committee Chair Senator Mike Bousselot implemented the amendments, with some outlining allowing other types of utilities other than carbon dioxide pipelines, to be prohibited from using eminent domain and allowing companies to go outside of a proposed route corridor to find willing landowners to commit to voluntary easements.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green says on the surface some of the amendments he could work with, but voices concern about at least one of the amendments that would include other types of utility projects.

“I have never understood how a bill like that could possibly pass without upsetting all utilities, all the different utilities that are out there, and creating this huge opposition to a bill and be able to get it passed. But I think Bousselot must see something that I don’t see to where we can accomplish something.”   

Green points out that his bill, Senate File 92, recently passed the House that would simply prohibit companies from using eminent domain on agricultural land for underground carbon dioxide pipelines. He adds that he is looking forward to seeing how a resolution to this topic will be finalized this session.