Meeting Public Comments

Doug Swartz

Thank you for introducing a simple bill to protect Iowa Landowners from land agents who can threaten us with eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. We currently have no power to negotiate a reasonable easement. My wife and I did not like the terms of the easement. The first land agent listened to our concerns but nothing changed. When we told the 2nd land agent we did not like the terms of the easement, we were immediately threatened us with eminent domain. This happened long before the hearing in Fort Dodge. This pipeline would already be built in Iowa if landowners actually had the power to negotiate a fairer easement agreement. Thank you for supporting a bill to stop eminent domain for CO2 pipelines.

Joan Gaul

Please vote yes on HSB 507. I am a pipelineaffected landowner. Please stand up for my Constitutional Right to own property in Iowa without the threat of Eminent Domain from a private CO2 pipeline company, who is only interested in obtaining the Federal tax credits, with no concern for the safety of anyone along the pipeline route.The CO2 pipeline is not for public use or convenience.Thank you.Joan Gaul

Sherri Webb

It is not five years for just the landowners. It is five years for the Iowa Legislature as well. Bills have been introduced. Some made it past subcommittee, some died before committee, others went to the Senate to be lost forever. 2025 gave us hope because a bill was passed by the House and Senate only to be vetoed by the Governor. This bill, HSB507, is a commonsense bill that will allow the pipeline project to find a route and allow the affected landowners to say "NO" if that is what is best for their family and land.This has been a complicated project and our 126year, Century Farm, family land is at risk. Our heritage, our legacy, and our history is one with the soil. Please support HSB507 which will allow us to get on with our lives. Thank you for five years of time and support for the landowners that have chosen to say their land is more important than cash. You are appreciated.

Nancy Dugan [Select your title]

On March 27, 2025, I received the following correspondence from Representative Elinor Levin: "I appreciate your perspective and take it very seriously. I personally have taken a firm stance against the CO2 crossstate pipeline projects, and want to see potential for onsite "geologic" carbon sequestration taken seriously, which would 1) create local jobs for installation and maintenance, 2) address the release of CO2 where it is happening, and 3) avoid the need to exercise eminent domain and put people's family land in potential harm." Based upon the information found in this link, it appears that today's full judiciary committee meeting may have been scheduled before the commencement of yesterday's subcommittee meeting: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/meetingsListChamber?chamber=H&reqType=S%2C&committeeTypeStanding=on&bDate=01%2F13%2F2026&eDate=01%2F14%2F2026&chamberID=H (click on agenda for the January 14, 2026, judiciary committee meeting). During yesterday's subcommittee meeting, my recollection from notes taken is that Rep. Holt stated that the CO2 would either be used for enhanced oil recovery or sequestered. He mentioned the states of Wyoming and North Dakota in his comments. The prospect of storing the CO2 in Iowa has been under discussion at least since the 2023 Fort Dodge hearings. It is 2026. Please see this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBn01omqw7Y&t=12s. Summit announced plans in February 2025 to partner with Infinium to use CO2 to make sustainable aviation fuel. Please see this link: https://www.prnewswire.com/newsreleases/summitcarbonsolutionsandinfiniumpartnertoadvanceefuelsproductionandenergyindependenceinthemidwest302368814.html. My recollection is that Summit has already acknowledged this use in documents filed with the Iowa Utilities Commission and the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. My recollection of Rep. Holt's comments yesterday is that he acknowledged that energy projects such as oil and natural gas pipelines constitute a public purpose. Also at the 2023 Fort Dodge hearings, CapCO2 Solutions CEO Jeff Bonar discussed plans to use the CO2 in Iowa to produce green methanol, which is a fuel source. His plans have been supported by the Free Soil Foundation. It is my understanding that Free Soil Foundation board member Doyle Turner has lobbied Iowa legislators about this proposal. Please see this link to Dr. Bonar's testimony. At roughly the 45:43 minute mark, he indicates that CapCO2 could be a partner with Summit Carbon Solutions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPYQ55Kdgg4&t=2757s. For these reasons, I have grave concerns that Rep. Holt's statements indicating that the CO2 will only be stored outside Iowa and will only be used for enhanced oil recovery are both inaccurate and misleading. I fear they may materially harm Iowans who may be blindsided by the removal of eminent domain protections for CO2 pipelines if their land is confiscated under Iowa's pooling statutes (Iowa Code chapter 458A). This article states the following: "Some State Senators support a bill to widen the corridor (the land the pipeline company might potentially use for the project) from onehalf mile to ten miles either side of the proposed route." Please see this link: https://theiowastandard.com/letteritstimetogivethegovernoracleanbillonpropertyrights/?utmsource=dlvr.it&utmmedium=facebook. Are members of the legislature proposing this massive change to the pipeline corridor to allow for the possible acquisition of land in Iowa for CO2 storage and potential mining operations, either voluntarily or under the pooling (eminent domain) statutes found in Iowa Code chapter 458A? Your legislation does not address the forced taking of land under Iowa Code chapter 458A, and if you fail to address this issue, again, I believe you are violating the constitution. Please see this link for information about the possible use of CO2 to mine for critical minerals: https://news.utexas.edu/2023/03/24/newminingtechnologyusesco2astooltoaccesscriticalminerals/. Thank you in advance for addressing these issues on behalf of the people of Iowa.

Katherine Stockdale

Please support HSB507 protecting private property rights against eminent domain from C02 pipelines. The Governor asked for a clean,simple bill and this is it. It supports our constitutional rights and supports both the Republican and Democratic platforms.

Nancy Dugan [Select your title]

Additionally, I would ask for clarification regarding whether a vote was taken before adjournment of the January 13, 2025, judiciary subcommittee meeting on HSB 507. I listened to the end, when Rep. Holt announced that the bill would be advanced to the full judiciary committee. I do not recall a vote being taken before the meeting was adjourned by Rep. Holt.

Caila Corcoran [Landowner]

As a landowner that is pro agricultural and pro ethanol. With this pipeline there is no change in the ethanol formula, this is all a paper game for a private company to take our tax dollars. We want the same ability that the people who decide to sign a voluntary easements. This bill does that job of being able to say no thank you if that is what we choose. I support HSB 507 Thank you!

Connie Esker [Iowa Century Farm co-landowner]

To Legislators:When you were sworn into your honored offices, I believe you swore to protect the Constitution. That Constitution says we have rights to owning private property. My family has a Century Farm in Shelby County that has been in the family 126 years. We want to pass this precious soil onto our future generations, but now are being forced to pause, because of this threatening Summit project. I do not care if Summit wants a co2 pipeline. They are a Big business and they can pursue ventures. But, they should not be allowed to take our land by use of eminent domain. Let them modify their business plan and find landowners who do not object to a pipeline on their property. Their project is not for public good, otherwise many people would not object to the project. After 5 years of fighting to keep our property rights, it is now time to stop playing games with peoples lives. It is time to pass a definitive bill that protects private property rights, but allows Summit to continue their business in an alternate route. Please support HSB 507. Please support private property rights. No eminent domain for co2 pipelines!Thank youConnie Hansen Esker

Doreen Jessen

STOP Eminent Domain for Private Gain Please Support & Vote 'YES' for HSB 507 to protect Private Companies taking landowners property, whether in rural Iowa or within City limits. Thank for your support.

Jan Norris

Please support HSB 507 No Eminent Domain for CO2 pipelines!My neighborhood received letters in 2021 notifying us of a potential CO2 pipeline Summit Carbon Solutions want to build. Over the last 5 years I have been dedicated in learning all I can about this new kind of pipeline. I have been unable to find any redeeming qualities to support.With the threat of eminent domain, there is no such thing as a voluntary easement. There is NO economic development project that we should be willing to sell our property rights to.The Governor vetoed last years hard fought bill saying it was too complicated. HSB507 is clean and simple just one sentence specific to one pipeline. No unintended consequences to other projects. A 10 mile corridor will not fix the eminent domain issue. A bigger corridor will only create due process problems. Using the Summit project as an example, how could landowners (who thought they were unaffected suddenly be contacted for an easement) ever get up to speed on 5 years of information to make an informed decision? Landowners deserve the same consideration as a temporary union job or a big donor. Give landowners a fighting chance let the company fairly negotiate and earn their easement without eminent domain.Please support HSB 507 No eminent domain for CO2 pipelines.

Dawn Thompson

As a Sioux County landowner I thank you for the introduction of this bill and ask you to support it and the future farmers of Iowa.

Michael Henning [Private Impacted land owner]

Please support HSB507 protecting private property rights against eminent domain from C02 pipelines. The Governor asked for a clean, simple bill and this is it. It supports our constitutional rights and supports both the Republican and Democratic platforms.As Summit rep said yesterday.. in some cases like crossing rivers they wound probably still use Eminent Domain... Our land fits that situation and we DO NOT want any part of a pipeline for Private Gain!! Thank you!

Elizabeth Richards [RKR Farms, LLC]

Please vote to approve HSB507. Eminent domain should not be allowed for carbon oxide pipelines, as they do not support a public purpose. Our farm business should not be subject to having our land ownership rights taken for the purpose of supporting another businesss profits.

Robert Nazario

From former congressman, Steve KingThe Senate has summarily killed all property rights legislation since the House first passed the90% bill in March of 2023. The Senate killed HF 943 last year and attempted to kill HF 639. Butfor some master legislative techniques, the Senate would have avoided a vote and killed HF639 last year, too. Senate Leadership is posing to be looking for a compromise solutionKlemishs bill is virtually a red herring. The Senate will not move unless prodded. The House isthe prodwith fresh batteries.Here is a list of reasons to move quickly to protect property rights in all of Iowa. U.S.Constitution: nor shall private property be taken for public use without justcompensation.Constitutional Reasons Summit does not qualify: (apply to both the U.S. Constitution andthe Iowa Constitution)Summit project denies public use.Summit is not a utility.Summit is not a common carrier.CO2 is not a commodity.Summit CO2 is not for public use.Summit pipeline is not for public use.CO2 sequestration is not a public use.Code of Iowa Reasons Summit does not qualify:Under 479.B (convenient and necessary standards)Summit project is not convenient.Summit project is not necessary.The IUC failed its constitutional duty and disregarded its required fidelity to the Code of Iowa.In short, they went rogue.Other pipelines may or may not be privately owned. When they are monopolies, theircommodities are rate regulated by the Iowa Utilities Commission.Summit seeks a quasimonopoly on CO2 from the ethanol plants in Iowa, purely for privategain. Natural gas, propane, or anhydrous ammonia, for example, are all commoditiesaccessible for public use, even if the commodity just passes through the state but serves tokeep the commodity prices down for all.Summit proposed project is also a monopsony. The federal government is the only customer,and a captive one at that, but with a guaranteed floor price of $85.00 per metric ton. The courtsabhor a monopsony with equal contempt as to a monopoly. Summit is both.Summit cannot get past the Constitution which should have been the first argumentnot thelast. The issues of energy, agriculture, and the economy are utterly irrelevant and cannot beconsidered unless and until Summit complies with the constitution. Summit has had nearly adecade to adjust any business plan to comply with the Constitution. They have yet to respondwith a Constitutional argument.For all these reasons and many more, its time for all Iowa legislators who have sworn an oathto preserve, protect, and defend the ConstitutionFeigned ignorance or red herrings will not suce. This baby can be put to bed only when theGod given fundamental rights to property of We the People are protected. If the legislature isunwilling, SCOTUS awaits.Steve KingPresident, FreeSoilfoundationU.S. Congress (20032021)Chairman, Constitution Committee (fmr)

Bonnie Ewoldt

Summit Carbon Solutions has been using the threat of eminent domain in negotiations with landowners for the past five years! Our farm in Crawford County is on the route of Phase 1 and we had already told the land agent several times that we were not interested when he called again the day after the application was formally filed with the IUC to threaten us that we needed to sign the easement because it was going to eminent domain. My elderly brother (now deceased) with land in Ida County on the Phase 1 route was threatened by two land agents at his house who told him, Look, you might as well sign because were going to get your land one way or the other. (He did not sign, but he was very distraught.) HSB 507 must be passed in order to prevent Summit and other CO2 pipeline companies from using eminent domain as a threat in negotiations and forcing unwilling landowners into unwanted easements.

Carla Jones

As an Iowa landowner/tenant I support HSB507

Chris Hayek

Vote yes for HSB507. Protect our property rights. No Eminent Domain for C02 pipelines.

Deborah Main

I ask you to support HSB507. It is the clean bill that protects the rights of Iowa landowners. It also allows a company to construct a viable project with buyin from any landowner wishing to host a pipeline on their property. With this bill, all other concerns go away.