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Treating the Symptoms, Not the Problem: The Real Issue with Carbon Capture
By Brian Frye  13 Sept 2024

As Iowa faces decisions that will shape the future of our state, it’s time to take a hard look at the root problem behind carbon capture projects and the proposed pipelines crisscrossing our farmland. The issue isn’t just about land use, eminent domain, or even the carbon pipelines themselves—it’s about how we, as American taxpayers, are being asked to foot the bill for a technology that’s ineffective, unnecessary, and completely reliant on government subsidies.

The carbon capture projects being pushed in Iowa, particularly the Summit Carbon Pipeline, are held up by one thing: tax credits like the 45Q and 45Z. These tax subsidies are intended to make carbon capture economically feasible, but the reality is far more troubling. Without massive financial support from the federal government, these projects wouldn’t exist. The technology is too energy-intensive and too expensive to be sustainable on its own. And yet, we’re expected to pay for it—while private corporations and investors reap the profits.

Summit Carbon Solutions claims their project will benefit Iowa farmers by creating new markets for ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). But there’s a problem with this story: Brazilian sugarcane ethanol is cheaper and more energy-efficient, making it a strong competitor to our own ethanol-based SAF. Relying solely on ethanol exposes Iowa farmers to volatility in global markets. Instead of doubling down on this single, risky sector, we should be exploring alternatives like bioplastics, bio-based chemicals, and renewable natural gas (RNG)—markets that are far more sustainable and less dependent on corporate-driven agendas.

Our focus shouldn’t be on carbon pipelines that offer fleeting profits for a few investors while risking the livelihoods of many. Instead, we need to hold our elected officials accountable and demand that they address the root of the problem: the federal subsidies that prop up these boondoggle projects. The 45Q and 45Z tax credits are nothing more than financial crutches for a technology that hasn’t proven its worth.

Imagine the billions of dollars in taxpayer money that could instead be invested in developing true renewable solutions that benefit the public and not just corporations. Imagine a future where Iowa farmers thrive, not because they are tied to a volatile ethanol market, but because they’ve diversified into bioplastics, bio-based chemicals, and RNG—markets that have real potential for growth.

As a sixth-generation Iowa farmer and a former crude oil broker, I know firsthand how essential it is to stay ahead of market trends, to adapt, and to invest wisely in our future. Iowans deserve better than to be used as pawns in a government-funded chess game. Let’s stop treating the symptoms of this issue and start addressing the real problem. We need to challenge the subsidies that make these carbon capture projects possible.

Only then will we be able to redirect our resources toward sustainable solutions that protect Iowa’s land, farmers, and economy for future generations.

Regards,
Brian Frye – 6th Generation Farmer & Energy Expert Dows, IA