Iowa landowners call on Senator to debate eminent domain bill

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau)- A bill to limit carbon pipeline companies from seizing private land is stalled in the Iowa Senate.

The debate has left lawmakers divided for five years.

Landowners rallied at the State Capitol, demanding senators vote on the bill before the end of the legislative session. They delivered a letter signed by dozens of landowners to Sen. Mike Klimesh’s office calling on him to ban the use of eminent domain.

Property owners held dominos outside of the Senate majority leader’s office. They said the blocks represent what could fall if lawmakers fail to act.

“If eminent domain is allowed in the case of CO2 pipelines, which is a private company doing a private project for private gain, the dominoes will begin to fall,” said Meghan Sloma of Sioux County.

House lawmakers passed House File 2104 in January that bans the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines on private land. A Senate subcommittee amended the bill to instead give companies room to reroute the pipeline around landowners who refuse to grant access and go through property from landowners who do.

Some landowners do not support that amendment. They want the Senate to bring up the previous version that would ban the use of eminent domain.

“They should not be allowed to use the heavy hand of government to steal our land. You’ve expressed the importance of loyalty. We’re calling for loyalty to the people of Iowa, the Constitution, and your party platform,” said Dave Clark, a Worth County farmer.

Julie Goebel, a farmer in Palo Alto County says the pipeline would damage her farm land.

Neither can be discussed until Senate lawmakers bring it to the floor to debate.

Senator Klimesh shared in a statement “Conversations on property rights are ongoing in the Senate. I have been very clear on my position on this issue this year. I want to have discussions on energy development and the best path forward for our state.”

He added, “I appreciate the passion of the landowners - I’m passionate about this issue as well. It is why I released a bill the second week of the legislative session on this issue to help our state grow and ensure we have a serious discussion on energy dominance, the rights of all Iowa landowners and supporting Iowa’s agricultural economy. In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to continuing those conversations and finding a resolution.”

Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed a bill last year that created limitations for pipeline companies to use eminent domain.

Below is Senator Klimesh’s full statement.

“Conversations on property rights are ongoing in the Senate. I have been very clear on my position on this issue this year. I want to have discussions on energy development and the best path forward for our state. As we look to help our state prosper and thrive, it is important we continue having conversations on the best solution for Iowans that can pass both the Senate, the House, and be signed by the governor.I appreciate the passion of the landowners - I’m passionate about this issue as well. It is why I released a bill the second week of the legislative session on this issue to help our state grow and ensure we have a serious discussion on energy dominance, the rights of all Iowa landowners and supporting Iowa’s agricultural economy. In the coming weeks, I am looking forward to continuing those conversations and finding a resolution.”

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Isabella Warren covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email her at isabella.warren@kcr

Correction: House File 2104 would not ban CO2 pipleines.