Rebuttal by Landowners, most from Hardin Co, Iowa to Dave Sweeney
Originally Published on: Oct 9, 2024 at 16:03
Updated
Rebuttal by Landowners, most from Hardin Co, Iowa to Dave Sweeney, also appeared in the Iowa Falls Paper:
This letter is in response to the letter-to-the- editor written by Dave Sweeney entitled “Pipeline Would Be Beneficial for Agriculture.”
On Thursday, Aug 29th, Summit Carbon Solutions held a pipeline informational meeting at Albright’s Bluff in Iowa Falls. Summit representatives gave a full and uninterrupted presentation about their proposed carbon pipeline project at the beginning of the meeting. In his letter, Mr. Sweeney stated, “unfortunately, the meeting was hijacked by rude and belligerent anti-pipeline protestors.” Those “so called protestors” were landowners and citizens with legitimate concerns and questions that have received nothing but the same old run around and evasive answers to their questions for the past 3 years by Summit representatives. Yes, people were upset, who wouldn’t be?
For three years, landowners have been traveling to the Capital trying to get meaningful legislation passed that would protect their farmland from the unconstitutional overreach by Summit. For three years, the Republican controlled legislature seemingly sought to look the other way even though private property rights are a Republican Party platform. Senate Republican leadership wouldn’t allow a single bill to advance onto the Senate floor or at times, even get assigned a committee. Why? Brian Jorde, attorney and legal counsel for the Iowa Easement Team – a group of landowners pooling resources to fight the proposed pipeline, stated, “ For three years, landowners have been tormented by threats of eminent domain and lived under the weight of arcane laws allowing wealthy investors to invade family farms and land against their will.” Landowners have been subjected to bullying tactics such as the threat of being sued or eminent domain if landowners didn’t sign an easement “voluntarily.” For three years, landowners have heard Summit whine about “you can’t change the rules in the middle of the game.” Excuse us?! Landowners and farmers didn’t ask for this pipeline! Summit changed the rules in the middle of the game for our farming operations and farms that have been in families for generations.
Mr. Sweeney stated in his letter, “From my perspective, it is irresponsible as a farm businessman not to seek new markets for, or add value to, farm commodities.” Given that statement, why would landowners and farmers want to tie up all their eggs in one basket with this carbon pipeline when new technologies and alternative markets are being developed for corn, as we speak? In a recent Des Moines Register article written by Brian Frye, a sixth generation Iowa farmer, a former crude oil broker, an energy expert with over 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and a Wright County Farm Bureau Board of Director stated, “By focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) alone, we’re allowing ourselves to be boxed into a narrow market that could leave us vulnerable to forces beyond our control. It’s time we take control of our own future by expanding into diverse, stable markets that benefit Iowa farmers, not just big corporations. We don’t need carbon pipelines crisscrossing our state to secure a bright future for Iowa farmers. What we need is smart, forward-thinking policies that open up new markets, support rural economies, and protect our land for future generations. By investing in bio-plastics, bio-based chemicals, renewable natural gas, local value-added agriculture, and other possible markets, we can create a future where Iowa farms thrive—without the risks and false promises of a carbon capture pipeline. “
Mr. Sweeney says the current outlook is “bleak” and Summit insinuates ethanol and the agricultural economy are doomed without this pipeline-no doubt scare tactics to get landowners and farmers to sign easements.
The sad reality is that this entire pipeline scheme has been driven by corporate greed, government subsidies and carbon sequestration tax credits and political campaign contributions- not for the well-being of Iowa’s farmers and landowners.
Landowners, do NOT fall for Summit’s phony carbon pipeline scheme and do NOT fall victim to Summit’s smooth talking land agents. Do NOT sign a voluntary easement. Easements are forever and once you sign on the dotted line, your land is encumbered, FOREVER.
Ted and Kim Junker, Grundy County landowners/farmers
Raymond and Kathy Stockdale, Hardin County landowners/farmers
Robert and Jennifer Nazario, Hardin County landowners
Jim and Brenda Stotser, Hardin County landowners
Marlys Bahr, Hardin County landowner
Keith and Marian Kuper, Hardin County landowners
Teresa Thoms, Hardin County landowner
Joe and Bea Smuck, Hardin County landowners
Jim and Janice Smuck, Hardin County landowners
Janet Miller, Hardin County landowner
Robert Nazario, at a different event
Nazario Addresses BOS, Hardin CO
09 Oct 2024, 0900 hrs
Hardin County Board of Supervisors, Nazario spoke at the 13:40 minutes mark! AUDIO is Below We will Post the Video When it is on YouTube!
Background Below!
See: Iowa Falls Informational Meetings!
Kim Junker asked a critical question and Mr. Dave Sweeney is the only one to raise his hand in affirmation. She calls him out. The room was filled to capacity, over 150 people attended the IUC/SCS Informational Meeting.
see: https://freesoilfoundation.com/1320-2/
It is NEVER ok to trample the rights of Americans.
The fifth amendment is clear! For Public Use!
Eminent Domain was never intended to be used for PRIVATE GAIN BY A PRIVATE CORPORATION in a boondoggle that involves tax payer funds!
Constitution before corporate greed!
Iowa Falls paper gets credit!