Meeting Public Comments

Emma Schmit [Food & Water Action]

I urge you to support SF 2160. Our property rights should not be risked for the private profits of greedy corporations. Iowans, our land, and our lives are currently under attack by multiple corporations trying to take advantage of our loose eminent domain protections in order to build hazardous carbon pipelines. We deserve a say in whether or not a private venture that provides no public use will be allowed in our backyard. SF 2160 will ensure the needs and interests of Iowans are put before Wall Street's profits.

Kathy Carter []

This is the basis of a recent Letter to the Editor that I wrote. I want it on the record in case I cannot attend the Tuesday committee hearing. You enjoy your home, made it your refuge. Maybe it was a family home with generations of associated memories.Now imagine a stranger coming to your door. You can tell that he has lots of money. He struts in, looks around, hands you a hundred dollars and announces "I'm taking this room. Move your stuff. We'll rip some carpet out, make a hole in this wall. I'll have a project going in here. Itll involve hazardous materials, some potential for explosion, but don't worry. Some guys will check periodically, any day of the week, any time of day. You'll never know when they're coming. Youll still pay full property taxes, homeowners and liability insurance; we're not paying that. In fact, that hundred bucks is all you get. Forever. If you sell, the next owner has to accept this deal. If we give up this project, we can let somebody else take over the room. Could be somebody from China, or anybody." THAT is Eminent Domain. That is what Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator Ventures want to do, should the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) give them permits to proceed with their proposed CO2 pipelines. Hundreds of Iowa landowners and neighbors are facing this. We ALL will pay for it! These companies will use 45Q energy tax credits for construction and startup over a Billion Dollars! Do you pay income tax? Property tax? Then you're paying their bill, but they'll get ALL THE PROFIT. ONE pipeline permitted will set a precedent, with at least four others already making plans. Eminent Domain is for projects "for the public good". This does not meet that criteria. Please enact SF 2160!

Marte Elbert []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies able to use eminate domain against us landowers

Gloria Dorr [- Select -]

Please support SF 2160. Thank you for bringing SF 2160 forward during this legislative session. Thank you for your service to our state and for your time in considering this bill. Please consider the following comments:Eminent domain should be used only for a project that benefits the public. State law already protects agricultural land from eminent domain for private projects. SF 2160 should close the loophole that allows eminent domain for private projects permitted by the Iowa Utilities Board. Related to the current situation, eminent domain should not be allowed for hazardous liquid pipelines. Eminent domain should still be allowed for public utilities. SF 2160 is not unfair to the carbon dioxide or other hazardous liquid pipeline companies. The pipeline companies can still apply for a permit from the Iowa Utilities Board. However, landowners should not be forced by eminent domain to give up their property for a hazardous liquid pipeline.Many impacted landowners, Boards of Supervisors, and the public do not want hazardous liquid pipeline companies to be able to exercise eminent domain.

Denise Smith []

I am a third generation landowner in Page County, Iowa. I do NOT support the pipeline.

Meghan Kennedy []

Please Vote Yes to support SF2160. Eminent domain is one of the most drastic measures the government can take against its citizens. It should be used only for a project that benefits the public, not a private developer.

Vickie Beck []

Please vote yes for the Bill to stop Eminent Domain. Iowa farmers and farms need to be protected.Thank you

BILL Beck []

Eminent domain is one of the most drastic measures the government can take against its citizens. It should be used only for a project that benefits the public, not a private developer.Please vote yes on SF2160

Michelle Platt []

I strongly support SF 2160. I believe private business pushing CO2 pipelines is not in the best interest of private landowners, neighboring residents or the state of Iowa. Certainly there are other less risky or intrusively destructive green solutions that wethe people of Iowacan support.

Judy Grethen []

Please help pass SF 2160. Eminent Domain should never be used by private companies. Many private companies have "hidden" foreign investors that we only learn about after it is too late. Please help us protect our fragile farmland and soil that us Iowan farmers work hard to manage correctly by implementing environmentally safe farming and grazing practices. Thank you.

Carolyn Kay Dusheck []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee.As farmers and conservationists, my family is opposed to the unethical use of eminent domain for a greedy, private company looking to use taxpayer money to fund their 45Q tax breaks, while raping my land with their toxic pipeline.The definition of eminent domain should not be bastardized to accommodate venture capitalists that could care less about Iowa and it's land.

Jim Swearngin []

A private forprofit company that serves no public good should not be able to abuse eminent domain to steal private land.

Joshua Henik [Henik Family Farms]

As an Iowa Farmer, I encourage this committee to carefully consider the legislation before you. Iowa's most important natural resource is our soils, ensuring protections for that resource against the interest of entities who seek to use eminent domain for private gain is of the greatest importance for the future of Iowa. I ask you to vote yes on moving this bill forward to allow more discussion on this issue.

Victoria Lob []

Dear Subcommittee members,I am all for the bill SF2160. Why are we allowing "for profit" companies into any kind of consideration when it comes to eminent domain issues in Iowa? It seems corporate greed and shortterm "fixes" are the new normal in our Country. Please don't let this be the case in our beautiful Iowa. Scientists and even ADM have stated that these pipelines are not necessarily the "answer" to our carbon emissions problem. Why are we allowing utility companies the voice for the people in the state of Iowa who might be tempted to allow outside "for profit" entities to come and threaten our land, our safety, our heritage? Please listen to your constituents and the people who have loved and taken care of this land for generations. What gives anyone the right to take away what others have worked so hard to preserve? The perpetrators are not Iowa farmers, and the general population of hardworking people in Iowa. We will be the ones to suffer however, when the toxic waste doesn't nicely flow in the manner in which they say it will. History is not showing the earth as a docile depository of our waste.... the exact opposite, in fact.Work for us, fight for us, please.

Jonah Light []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies able to use eminent domain against us land owners.

Emily Ehresman []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies able to use eminent domain against us land owners.

Gretchen Light []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies able to use eminent domain against us land owners.

Gretchen Light []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies from utilizing eminent domain.

Melinda Powell []

Our parents are land owners in Lee Co. My sister and I will inherit the farm when something happens to them. As next generation land owners, I respectfully ask that you please support SF 2160.

Danette Moore []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies from utilizing eminent domain.

Darin Hofmeister []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies from utilizing eminent domain. Support Iowa land owners!

Stacey Schildroth []

Please vote in favor of SF 2160, the eminent domain bill that restricts private companies from using eminent domain. Note, the purpose of the bill is too restrict those private companies that do not provide a public use or operate as a public utility, as defined under 476.1 subsection 3. Under this bill, the rural electric/water and private energy providers would still have use of eminent domain as they are truly in the public use/public utilities service to local homes, businesses, schools, neighbors, shops, gas stations, etc. it is a utility that everyone uses. SF 2160 serves to ensure that landowners and Iowans are not taken advantage of with private companies that wish to utilize Iowa ground for their pet projects under the guise of "public use".

Claudia Ternes []

I am asking you to please pass SF 2160 out of subcommittee. Private companies should not be able to use eminent domain to gobble up individuals' personal property. Thank you!

Nelva Huitink []

Please vote yes to move SF2160 through subcommittee. Private companies should not be able to use eminent domain for projects that have no public benefit. As a landowner, I ask that you protect our rights to be able to chose what we allow on our land.

JoAnn Stoner []

As owners and operators of a family farm, we urge you to pass SF 2160. Private companies should not be allowed to use our land for profit, nor should they be allowed to jeopardize public safety. There a better solutions for CO2 capture.

Greg Griffin []

There is something wrong about a big, private company forcing its pipeline through private land to carry a potentially dangerous substance (CO2). Senate File 2160 deals with that situation, through proposed legislation which would permit only a public utility to undertake such a project. Senate File 2160 also adds a requirement that such a project must provide a public convenience and necessity, not just a permit to make money by piping CO2 through Iowa land. I urge you to support Senate File 2160, to protect Iowa citizens and Iowa land from potentially harmful damages they may face from this proposed pipeline. Thank you. Greg Griffin

Sylvia Spalding [The East Place]

Dear Senate Subcommittee Members: Our family has farmed and stewarded land in Spring Creek Township, Mahaska County, Iowa, since it opened up to White settlement in 1843. As the 7th generation in this township, I manage my parents' farmland, which is in the corridor of the proposed Heartland Greenway LLC ("Navigator) CO2 pipeline. We have been notified that Navigator intends to come on our property through the rights it says it has under Iowa Code section 479B.15 to do multiple surveys (land survey, constructability survey, environmental surveys) that "may include the use of light vehicles, foot traffic and the staging of survey equipment." We do not want this company on our property; we do not want these surveys conducted on our property; and do not want the pipeline on our property (period). The threat of eminent domain is trying our emotions and consuming our time and limited finances. We support SF2160 and ask that you pass it.Eminent domain is one of the most drastic measures the government can take against its citizens. It should be used only for a project that benefits the public, not a private developer. As someone who has worked with many climate scientists for two decades and who has helped to develop climate strategies and policies for NOAA Fisheries, it is my sincere belief that CO2 pipelines are not a climate solution and are being pursued almost entirely for monetary gains. As a current member of the Climate Land Leaders and other progressive farm organizations in Iowa, it is my belief that these pipelines will cause more harm than benefit to the public by destroying natural carbon sequestration processes that are already in place. Our property is in forest reserve and in prairie, quail and wildlife habitat. We already have an electrical easement and liquid petroleum gas easements on our property, and forests are not allowed to grow back on them. Instead, these right of ways harbor invasive canary grass which is spread to our forest wetlands when the South Skunk River floods. Moreover, experience with the Bakken pipeline has shown that pipeline companies do not understand nor appreciate that soil is life and not dirt. Tampering with the soil destroys biomes that took centuries to form and that naturally sequester CO2. State law already protects agricultural land from eminent domain for private projects. SF 2160 just closes a loophole that allows eminent domain for projects permitted by the Iowa Utilities Board. But it still allows eminent domain to be used for public utilities.SF 2160 only applies to hazardous liquid pipelines, not other pipelines, such as natural gas.Although SF 2160 would apply to carbon dioxide pipelines being proposed by private companies to take carbon dioxide from ethanol plants, the bill is not about ethanol. The bill applies to all hazardous liquid pipelines. And there has been no showing that a pipeline is necessary to keep the ethanol industry viable.SF 2160 is not unfair to the carbon dioxide pipeline companies. They can still apply for a permit from the Iowa Utilities Board. They just cannot force landowners to give up their property for a pipeline.As an impacted landowner, I join the board of supervisors and the public who do not want hazardous liquid pipeline companies to be able to exercise eminent domain.To quote Senator Chuck Grassley in the Foreword to Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Family and Food (by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby), "... it's important for farmers to have a seat at the policymaking table. Farmers take the long view of things. Maybe that's why they don't forget important lessons from history. ... History teaches us that when government suppresses freedom and liberty, the people's path toward peace and prosperity is replaced with ... economic and social inequality. ... Checking the rearview mirror to look back at history helps ensure that the road ahead paves the way for prosperity and opportunity for family farmers and all those who earn their livelihoods and enjoy their way of life in rural America."SF 2160 would allow farmers the freedom to choose what they want done and not done on their land. The farmers and landowners know their land. They have stewarded it for generations. Outside companies should not be given the right to take that freedom from the farmers.Thank you for considering this plea.

Janet Miller []

There has been concern expressed about fairness being shown to companies such as Summit and Navigator. Concern about fairness should also shown toward our citizens and their constitutional rights. Landowners, boards of supervisors, and the general public do not want these hazardous liquid pipeline companies to be able to exercise eminent domain. Fairness is what SF 2160 is about. Landowners could still voluntarily, and more reasonably negotiate for the placement of things like the CO2 pipelines on their properties. Fairness would also be shown to the companies who can still apply for permit from the IUB.Its time to set a precedent and stand for what is obviously right. Its really very simple for all to be treated fairly, the loopholes for eminent domain abuse need to be closed and that is what SF 2160 is for. This needs to be done now and not later. Please protect the rights of Iowas citizens and vote Yes on SF 2160.

Madison Schnipkoweit []

Please pass bill Sf2160 out of subcommittee to stop private companies from utilizing eminent domain.

Eleanore Dusheck []

I strongly support limiting the power and use of eminent domain. Private companies should not be able to use eminent domain against private citizens; this is a power that should be used very sparingly. The state of Iowa should protect the rights and property of its people, rather than appealing to the wants of corporations with little to no interest in the state or land.

Richard Brekke []

My parents bought our farm in 1961.They worked very hard raising crops&livestock.They taught 7 kids to work hard along side them.feeding all kinds of livestock.It is absolutely unfair for a company to come in & tear up our ground so they can make more money.It will damage the soil for years.We should have a choice if they are allowed to do this.We have tiling projects to do in the future to improve the ground.A pipeline will only damage the soil& make it harder&more dangerous to tile.It should be our choice to weigh the pro's&con's of what is done to OUR ground.Thanks Richard Brekke

Connie Hansen Esker [Landowner ]

Please vote for this bill to go forward for consideration for legislation. Eminent domain for private profit gain should not be used at the expense of sacrificing Iowas precious resource farmland. Individual rights need to be preserved.Thank you

lance kleckner []

please support this bill and help protect citizens and their property against the unethical use of eminent domain.

Karen Ahrenholtz []

Please vote YES for SF 2160 Eminent domain is one of the most drastic measures the government can take against its citizens. It should be used only for a project that benefits the public, not a private developer. Our Heritage farm is on the proposed Summit Pipeline. SF 2160 is not unfair to the carbon dioxide pipeline companies. They can still apply for a permit from the Iowa Utilities Board. They just cannot force landowners to give up their property for a hazardous waste pipeline. Landowners such as myself and many of my neighbors do not want a hazardous waste pipeline going through the middle of our farmland. We do not want an easement forced upon us by a company that is for profit where the landowner takes all the risks living and farming next to a hazardous liquid and a private company taking all the profit. An easement by Eminent Domain affects our farm and land FOREVER. The soil is compacted by heavy equipment during construction. The return to prepipeline crop yields is affected. In addition, the possibility to build a new home or other structures on this land is gone. We appreciate your time and thoughtful consideration to represent the citizens of Iowa. Please vote yes to SF 2160 and protect the rights of individual landowners from this infringement on their basic constitutional rights.

Art Caigoy [Sierra Club Iowa Chapter]

I am in favor of the eminent domain bill. We cannot allow foreign investors to be involved with a hazardous pipeline running through Iowa. What about our aquaphere? It opens doors for Private companies to follow.

Bonnie Ewoldt []

Allowing the use of eminent domain for pipeline profit is unfair! It is unfair to landowners who are forced to sell property they do not want to sell, leaving them open to decreased land values, damaged crop land, and liability due to having a hazardous substance on the property. It is also unfair to all Iowans as our state becomes overrun with pipeline investors snatching up private property to turn a profit. The loophole in our current eminent domain law that allows the IUB to not require public use for eminent domain needs to be closed. Please vote to send SF 2160 on to the full Commerce Committee. Thank you.

Gayle Palmquist []

NOW is the time to stop private companies from stealing our land to enrich their investors. There is no value to the public that cant be achieved by cheaper, more efficient means. There is no reason for tearing up hundreds of miles of valuable Iowa farm land and ruining farms that familieshave cared for and nurtured for hundreds of years, in many cases. I realize there is a necessity to curb climate change. We have witnessed the extreme weather events that would support climate change theory, but these private companies that are trying to steal our land and waste the taxpayers money are not the answer. If these private companies are allowed to take our land for their profits, where would it stop? It would be like opening Pandoras box.

Susan Young []

Iowa is the starting point of several energy initiatives that also affect Illinois. Voting yes on SF 2160 will help defeat private initiatives across multiple states. Projects, such as carbon pipelines, rely on public money for extended years but are not for the public good, prop up business practices that should be changed, and affect health, crop land yields, and land values. Hopefully, your yes vote to require more stringent eminent domain criteria will influence other states including Illinois and companies will present much more carefully considered projects and we can deeply consider the land use trade offs. Thank you.

Dennis Kluver []

I support SF2160, and want it passed. thank you

Audrea Keninger []

I am a landowner in Franklin county and am opposed to eminent domain being used to these carbon pipeline projects. This is not a public use and and a law needs to be written to avoid unnecessary legal action at the IUB level.

Kezia Williams []

I am an Iowan citizen who supports Senate filing 2160. Please vote yes to pass this through and stop inappropriate uses of eminent domain on our property owners.

Amanda Stamp []

SF 2160 is about protecting citizens from abuse and holding private businesses accountable. This bill would not prevent private projects from being completed contrary to the scare tactics of industry beneficiaries and lobbyists. If a company is transparent about all aspects of its project and works fairly and in good faith with impacted people, projects would not need eminent domain to achieve their objective. Instead, the current law allows the ominous threat of eminent domain to scare people into terms they would not accept in a less threatening situation. Project sponsors only share half the project details, particularly on safety, because they know they dont have to and the details are not favorable to the public. Iowa laws enable this scenario to the detriment of your populace. Without correcting this issue via legislation, undoubtedly this topic will come up repeatedly in the future, and your constituents are asking for your intervention to correct the unjust laws you have the power to change. Who needs protecting and who do you serve? Support SF 2160 and be on the right side of history. This bill levels the playing field between regular Iowans and well funded corporations. This fight wont end at your subcommittee so dont preemptively kill the discussion. Put yourself on record by standing up for the people that need protection and help. Companies that are true partners of the citizens of Iowa will find an ethical and fair way to conduct their businesses, and companies that freely negotiate their projects without the threat of eminent domain are the types of business partners you want operating within the state to begin with.

Violet Ahrenholtz []

I am in support of SF Bill 2160. Iowa has needed better eminent domain laws and this is a vital bill for our state. I am against this pipeline going through and especially trying to use things like eminent domain to do so. Eminent domain should be only used as a last resort and for VERY Public resources where there are not private party interests. This bill will help us on the way to that.

Amber and Andrew Johnson []

We are opposed to the use of eminent domain for private businesses such as Heartland Greenway Navigator. The CO2 pipeline that Navigator is attempting to construct will go thru our property, a large portion of which is timber that is in the forest reserve program. We do not want our property disturbed by any pipeline company whose goal is making money for their own gain, not for the betterment of all people. Eminent domain should NEVER be used for a private company to profit off of landowners. Attached you will see a copy of the letter that we sent to the IUB in December. Please help the landowners in Iowa keep their property untouched by corporations like Heartland Greenway Navigator. We appreciate any and all help with this matter.Andrew and Amber JohnsonWest Point, Iowa

Marlene Raney []

I am totally against this co2 pipeline going through our land and I hope you will represent us for the Eminent Domain bill to stop them from acquiring our land! Thank you!