SIOUX CITY, Iowa (Iowa Media Wire) — The Chairman of the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors gave his response to the recent decision of the Iowa Utilities Commission, formerly known as the Iowa Utilities Board.
It was to grant a permit to Summit Carbon Solutions to build a CO2 pipeline through 29 counties. The pipeline cannot be built in the state until the routes in North and South Dakota are approved.
Matthew Ung called the ruling “disappointing” during the Board of Supervisors meeting. He says the Commission claims that the CO2 pipeline is no more dangerous than natural gas and doesn’t impede economic development, which the County Board disagrees.
Ung says after 25 days of testimony, the Commission did not place much care, consideration, or respect on those who gave testimonies.
“You know, these are lay people. They may not have read the massive document that this board shared publicly or that was filed several hundred pages filed before the IUB and they’re speaking from their own experience. And for the IUB to come, to come down so hard on people just wanting to engage,” Ung said. “I mean, we talk about why people don’t get involved in politics. This is textbook, I mean, you’re going to be accused of perjury by the IUB because you said how this is going to impact your life.”
The Board of Supervisors will be holding a closed session in the next few weeks to discuss what to do next in regards to Summit’s pipeline.