In the face of mounting opposition, Wolf Carbon Solutions has withdrawn its plan to build a network of tax-credit funded carbon waste pipelines across eastern Iowa.
Farmland owners in Scott County and elsewhere in Iowa cheered the surrender that came after the company failed to secure easements.
“To my knowledge, no one in any of the counties involved signed a voluntary easement,” said Donahue-area farmer Amy Nelson. “I think it’ an example of the community working together, and having their voices heard when we work together.”
Nelson was among Scott County residents organizing resistance to Wolf. She said activists’ work is not done since Iowa legislators declined to outlaw eminent domain, or court-ordered easements for projects like this.
“I believe this is still something the legislative body needs to address for some clarity for Iowa Utility Commission. It’s time for the state to look at it. There is always a project looking for a corridor. There will be more lines continuing to come across Scott County.”
Wolf Carbon is a Canadian company that planned waste pipelines from ADM’s Clinton ethanol plant, and others in Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River near Princeton, then carrying the waste to central Illinois, where ADM already operates a carbon waste site.
Illinois regulators were much more critical than Iowa. Wolf withdrew its Illinois application Nov. 20, but pledged to pursue the Iowa corridor.
Two weeks later, Wolf alerted the Iowa Utility Commission Monday morning it has ended requests with Iowa and Illinois utility regulators to construct the network.
“While Wolf has continued to build relationships with landowners and stakeholders interested in the Project, a number of factors have continued to delay Wolf’s ability to proceed with the Project,” the company wrote to the Iowa Utility Commission. “Wolf has decided to cease pursuit of the required regulatory approvals at this time, as Wolf does not deem it to be an efficient utilization of resources for the Commission staff to continue processing the Petition without any certainty around Wolf’s timing for proceeding on the Project.
“Wolf will make a determination concerning any required new filing with the Commission once more certainty exists concerning its plans to proceed with the Project.”
Wolf was among three companies that proposed separate carbon waste pipelines to be funded in part by federal tax credits authorized by Congress in the Inflation Reduction Act, signed by President Biden in August 2022. On the campaign trail, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to dismantle carbon credits elements of the act.
Wolf and Navigator CO2 Ventures have withdrawn their request for Iowa easements. The Iowa Utility Commission approved a plan by a third company, Summit, which is run by former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad aide Bruce Rastetter. Branstad serves as a consultant for Summit.
Summit is negotiating with property owners for easement, and Iowa law allows it to file lawsuits that would let judges rule on owners who resist.