(Des Moines)– A key House member says now is the time to pass a moratorium to prevent developers from seeking government condemnation of land along proposed carbon pipeline routes before February First.
Republican Senator Dennis Guth (GOOTH, rhymes with “tooth”) of Klemme recently said the plan does absolutely nothing, because the Iowa Utilities Board process for eminent domain wouldn’t start before next February anyway. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann (COUGH-man) of Wilton disagrees, calling that statement “ignorant.”
Kaufmann says the point of the House proposal is to address the fears of property owners who do not want the pipelines to pass through their land or feel pressured to sign leases with the developers. He also says landowners believe pipeline developers will immediately begin using eminent domain to seize their lands once the Iowa legislature adjourns for the year.
