To the editor,
A couple weeks ago I had a chance to read a Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) easement contract offer. WOW!! Ready to sign away your property rights “forever”?
As written, it appears the contract would be applicable to ALL real estate residential, industrial, businesses, agriculture, wherever. Last year the Iowa Utility Commission (IUC) gave SCS eminent domain powers for whatever SCS wants to take and use… grrrrrr!!
That eminent domain contract stated the company had the right to sell the easement at any time! What I didn’t realize is that the easement can also be used as collateral for loans by SCS or whoever they sell it to. If the company defaults on the loan through bad business decisions, loss of federal tax credits, or a change in SCS business interests… the eminent domain easement could end up owned by any investment firm. South Korea has at least a 10% investment in the CO2 project… We don’t want anyone owning CO2 pipeline eminent domain access to my mom’s land or our land in Greene County. Not now, not ever!!
I would recommend people get Involved!! Big power brokers in Iowa are trying to slip this by US! These CO2 easement contracts are ONLY good for SCS … not landowners and not the public. Now is the Opportunity to act! There are still ways to stop eminent domain on CO2 projects!
CO2 easements need to be handled just like our State Nutrient Reduction Strategy – voluntary only!!
Last month, South Dakota defended the property rights of their people! Minnesota has always said no to eminent domain! Please help defend the rights of Iowans and say NO to eminent domain on CO2 projects!
Please – NO EMINENT DOMAIN In Iowa for CO2 pipelines!
Thank you.
Mike Henning of Waterloo, formerly of Jefferson, and son of impacted landowner
