(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, today (Tuesday) received numerous comments pertaining to the Summit Carbon Solutions carbon capture pipeline. Most of the comments were with regard to the establishment of a Survey Ordinance for land owners who have not signed an agreement for the pipeline to run on their land. It would request Summit contractors to have a permit, so the County would know when they would be taking measurements for pipeline installation, and have the proper identification when they are on a person’s property and that they are insured against property damage. Other comments were with regard to the threat of Eminent Domain by Summit, to take control of property to build the pipeline.

Mike Luna, who is a relatively new Montgomery County resident, said he “Hates” Eminent Domain.

A Montgomery County resident asks the Supervisors to establish a Survey Ordinance (8-27-24)

Luna said he would stand by landing owning Supervisors in opposition to Eminent Domain, if Summit tries to force land control for their pipeline. Summit’s initial network pipe in the state, which runs 690 miles, was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission in June, but the company is barred from starting construction until they have received permission to build the system in North and South Dakota. The system is expected to capture carbon dioxide at ethanol plants in five states, and transport it to an underground storage area in North Dakota. The expansion in Iowa includes about 340 miles of pipe to connect to more ethanol producers after another company, Navigator CO2, abandoned its plans for a similar project. Summit said they have agreements with 30 of Iowa’s 42 ethanol plants.

The Supervisors approved a renewal of the Weed Commissioner’s contract with Damion Bond. There are no changes to the previous contract. The new Weed Commissioner contract will expire June 30, 2026. The Board discussed and then appointed Supervisors Mike Olson and Mark Peterson, who will meet with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), to discuss the watershed structure maintenance for Montgomery County. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors passed a Resolution (2024-33), approving the placement on the November 5th General Election ballot, a Public Measure pertaining to the appointment of Township Officers, rather than by election. Supervisor Donna Robinson…

The Board approved a supplemental agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, for additional services pertaining to carbon capture pipeline inspections. Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert provided the Supervisors with her weekly Secondary Roads Department report. The includes hauling road rock. She also mentioned the status of various, ongoing road projects.

Tenpoint Construction will be finishing-up concrete patch work this week on M-63, north of Stanton.

The Board’s next regular meeting is September 3rd, at 8:30-a.m., in their Montgomery County Courthouse meeting room, in Red Oak.