Ordinance for legal protections for proposed CO2 pipeline presented

Community members gathered at the Montezuma courthouse, with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, on May 12 to present an ordinance to our Poweshiek County Board of Supervisors that will provide legal protections from the proposed CO2 pipeline by Navigator.

This ordinance was drafted by Food and Water Watch legal staff and accounts for current Iowa law. Poweshiek County supervisors have already submitted a formal objection to the Iowa Utilities Board. This ordinance differs from an objection by adding requirements and fees should the pipeline permits be granted by the IUB. The ordinance in its current state calls for pipeline companies to pay surveying fees totaling $15,000, establish safety plans by the private sector who owns the pipeline, guarantee full restoration of land on Navigator’s dime, and more.

Without this ordinance, we would be subject to safety hazards by way of the pipeline. This proposed pipeline, from a private company, could become our county’s problem. Join me in contacting our County Supervisors to tell them thank you for considering an ordinance, that we support them in taking bold action to protect Poweshiek County, and to stay strong against any pushback that they may receive from Navigator!

Sophie Neems

Montezuma