Wolf Carbon won’t seek public hearing on carbon pipeline in 2023

Wolf Carbon Solutions doesn’t plan to request a public hearing in 2023 regarding their proposal for a carbon capture pipeline that would run through the southern portion of Linn County, an attorney for the company told the Iowa Utilities Board Tuesday. Attorney Amanda James of Des Moines, representing Wolf Carbon, spoke at the IUB’s monthly meeting to provide an update on the company’s schedule for the proposed pipeline, fielding procedural questions on the project from IUB chair Geri Huser. “During the informational meetings, Wolf indicated that they wished to begin construction in the second quarter of 2024,” Ms. Huser said. “Do you anticipate that schedule for construction, and if so, when do you anticipate requesting the hearing be held to accommodate that schedule?” “The client (Wolf) has informed me to relate to you that at this time it's too early to be able to tell when we would like to schedule our hearing,” Ms. James responded. “They're just getting out in the field now. They're working with property owners to be able to say when we want a hearing. We just don't have that information yet for a defined route.” After asking questions about aerial photography options for properties along the proposed route, Ms. Huser returned to scheduling inquiries. “Do you anticipate requesting a hearing date in this calendar year?” Ms. Huser asked. “No, we do not,” Ms. James replied. “Do you anticipate requesting a hearing date in calendar year 2024?” Ms. Huber asked. “Yes,” Ms. James said. “First quarter 2024?” Ms. Huber pressed. “That I can't tell you right now, without having more information about defining (the) route and getting those surveys done,” Ms. James said. The Iowa Utilities Board had asked representatives of Wolf Carbon and Summit Carbon Solutions, both of whom have proposed carbon capture pipelines in the state, to provide updates on their project. Only Wolf Carbon’s project traverses counties in the Corridor.

Wolf Carbon filed a petition with the Iowa Utilities Board Feb. 23 as part of the IUB’s official docket for the project, HLP-2022-0002, seeking approval for construction of a high-pressure pipeline across 95 miles in several Iowa counties, including Linn, Cedar, Clinton and Scott. Filed by Nick Noppinger, Wolf Carbon’s senior vice president of corporate development, the petition explicitly removes a clause under which Wolf Carbon would have requested the use of eminent domain for securing right-of-way for the proposed pipeline. Numerous objectors to the project have mentioned the possible use of eminent domain as one of their points of objection. Wolf is proposing a 280-mile liquid CO2 pipeline that would run through several Eastern Iowa counties, including the southern portion of Linn County. Under the proposal, Wolf would build the carbon sequestration pipeline between Cedar Rapids and Decatur, Illinois. The pipeline, referred to as the Mt. Simon Hub, would transport liquefied CO2 through a pressurized pipeline from ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an ADM sequestration facility near Decatur, Illinois, where the gas would be pumped underground at the Mt. Simon Sandstone saline reservoir for permanent storage. The project would be eligible for up to $1 billion in federal carbon sequestration tax credits, officials say. The project has faced public opposition at several meetings, including a Dec. 5 meeting at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids. Opponents to carbon dioxide sequestration pipelines also gathered Feb. 21 on the steps of the Iowa Statehouse in Des Moines, where lawmakers are considering limits to eminent domain for CO2 pipeline projects.