Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Senate has passed a bill with new guardrails that would make it harder for companies to seize property for carbon pipelines and other energy-related infrastructure. Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center is among 12 Republicans who boycotted votes on the state budget in order to force a vote on the bill, which also requires more insurance for carbon pipelines.
Some of the Republicans who voted against the bill said they support private property rights, but they accused Republicans who voted for it of being stubborn, naive and inexperienced. Republican Senator Tim Kraayenbrink of Fort Dodge says the GOP group that pushed for the bill refused to compromise and ignored the rights of landowners who want the pipeline.
Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines defended the dozen Republicans AND fellow Democrats who struck a bipartisan deal to get the bill passed.
Republican Senator Mike Klemish of Spillville predicts that if the bill becomes law, the State of Iowa will be sued by Summit and landowners who signed contracts to allow the pipeline on their properties.
[RIkaySenpipelineA] :08 :after the fact.
Senator Dan Zumbach, a Republican from Ryan, says the bill will kill the Summit pipeline project.
Senator Mike Bousselot, a Republican from Ankeny, called the House bill a Trojan Horse.
[RIkaySenpipelineB] :08 :sewer to Iowans.
Representative Steven Holt of Denison, one of the Republicans who crafted the bill, responded and notes Bousselot worked for the company that owns Summit Carbon Solutions, the pipeline developer.
The bill now goes to the governor, who has the power to sign or veto it.
