On Thursday, Wolf Carbon Solutions filed for a permit with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to construct a hazardous liquid pipeline across 95 miles in Eastern Iowa. The full pipeline would run a total of 280 miles across four counties in Iowa, ten in Illinois. Wolf’s proposal is the third carbon pipeline in Iowa to apply for state permits through the Iowa Utilities Board; the company did not apply for eminent domain powers, despite having gained zero voluntary easements since announcing their project in January 2022. Over 600 objections have been filed with the IUB against the project to date.

Buoyed by substantial federal tax credits and eligible for at least $40 billion in federal taxpayer funding, carbon pipelines pose serious safety risks currently under investigation by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as well as risks to crops and farmland.

Carbon dioxide is odorless, colorless and invisible, pumped through pipelines at pressures far exceeding other hazardous materials like fracked gas or oil. In the event of a rupture which could disperse gas for miles, carbon dioxide is capable of asphyxiating people and animals alike and prohibiting gas engines from starting, significantly hampering emergency response services. A 2020 rupture in Mississippi sent 49 people to the hospital; some still report lingering health problems.

Farmers can anticipate long-term land damage and crop loss from pipeline construction. From destroyed tile lines to mixing and compacted soils, pipeline construction has been shown to lower crop yield by up to 25 percent. Impacted landowners will also likely experience a fall in property and home values.

In response, Food & Water Watch Senior Iowa Organizer Emma Schmit issued the following statement:

“With carbon pipelines, it is a matter of when, not if, a disaster will occur. A hazardous pipeline rupture could expose thousands of Iowans to life-threatening asphyxiation, taxing rural health care systems and first responders beyond capacity.

“Carbon pipelines are all public risk for private gain. Taxpayer dollars should not foot the bill for dangerous schemes that jeopardize public health and safety. Wolf’s carbon pipeline is dangerous, unwanted, and unnecessary. The Iowa Utilities Board and state legislature must prioritize public safety over the private benefit of a few wealthy executives — it’s time to end the threat of carbon pipelines in Iowa.”

Contact: Phoebe Galt, [email protected]

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