Letter to the Editor,
A situation is brewing in our state that should concern every citizen in Iowa. Summit Carbon Solutions plans to build a hazardous CO2 pipeline through several counties in Iowa. Why should you be concerned? There are at LEAST 3 major reasons.
First, many farmers face the threat of dangerous pipelines running through their fields with or without their consent. SCS, a for-profit corporation, intends to use eminent domain to take this land if voluntary easements are not signed. This is specifically prohibited in the Constitution ( federal and state). Only the government can invoke eminent domain for a public good project. Corporations are prohibited from grabbing land from private citizens for their profit.
Second, carbon dioxide from ethanol plants will be transported as a critical superfluid at 1100-2200 psi. When there is a leak (explosion) in the pipeline, the CO2 becomes a highly toxic asphyxiant which sucks the oxygen from the air, resulting in death within 4 minutes. Emergency vehicles will be unable to respond, since engines need oxygen. Also, there are no setback requirements from homes, towns, schools, hospitals, or nursing homes. Some come as close as 600 feet.
Finally, these pipelines also require mass quantities of water. Our wells and aquifers are alarmingly low because of severe drought. We do not have water to spare! When CO2 does come into contact with water, it turns to carbonic acid, poisoning our water supply.
Why should YOU be concerned? If eminent domain for private gain is not stopped now, there may not be a next time. Once the precedent is set, anyone’s property could be next.
We can’t risk our lives, water, or property rights. Choices made today affect future generations. There are safer ways to transport CO2.
“Our liberties we prize, our rights we will maintain”
Bob and Jo Kruger
