The Greene County supervisors took another step in objecting to Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide pipeline across the county.
At their March 24 meeting, the supervisors approved a resolution directing county attorney Thomas Laehn to file a petition to intervene on behalf of the county before the Iowa Utilities Commission regarding Dockt Number HLP 2024-0004 – the 26.9 miles of the proposed pipeline that goes through Greene and Guthrie counties.
Laehn explained the intervention gives the county the right to appear before the IUC prior to that board making a decision regarding Summit’s application to construct the pipeline. He explained the county must have “a unique interest,” a solid argument that other parties may not present to the IUC.
Those unique interests are that the hazardous liquid pipeline would cross through the county’s secondary road system, which by Iowa Code the supervisors and county engineer have a statutory duty to maintain; the pipeline would cross through multiple drainage districts with the supervisors, acting as drainage district trustees, have a statutory duty to maintain; and that the pipeline would cross the Raccoon River Valley (bike) Trail, which is owned by the county under the control of the county conservation department.
Laehn cited in the petition the 2025 Iowa Bicycle Coalition that estimated bicycling and trail use in Greene County generates $3.1 million in economic activity annually.
Laehn will represent the county before the IUC. He said the IUC must take all evidence presented into consideration when making a decision regarding a permit for Summit.
The Guthrie County supervisors have hired an attorney from Ahlers & Cooney law firm to represent their interests.
Board chair John Muir said the intervention would “give the county a voice” in the permitting process.
Laehn repeated what he has said several times about the CO2 pipeline. “The only entity that has the power to stop this is the legislature.”
If the county were to grant an easement to Summit for the portion of the pipeline that would cross the Raccoon River Valley Trail, the total amount of the easement would be $4,574. Ten percent, $457.40, would be paid up front. The supervisors approved $2,500 from the Louis Dreyfus fund to the 50107 Summerfest committee for this year and next year, for a total of $5,000. Committee member Linda Hoffman requested $5,000 to pay for the carnival rides at this year’s event Aug. 1-2.
