The Iowa Utilities Board has begun its hearing on the Summit Carbon Solutions application to construct, operate and maintain a liquid carbon pipeline through Iowa. Critics of the project held a rally in Fort Dodge just before the hearing started. The proposed pipeline goes through Tim Baughman’s property in Crawford County.

According to Baughman, people who own 900 parcels of land along the Iowa route have not signed contracts granting Summit access to their land. The company is asking regulators to grant it eminent domain authority to force unwilling property owners to sign easements.

Steve Kenkel (KINK-ell), chairman of the Shelby County Supervisors, says the people testifying today (Tuesday) are seeking respect for their land and their livelihoods.

Summit has planned a two-thousand mile pipeline through five states, to ship liquid carbon from ethanol plants to underground storage in North Dakota. The company’s says the project will provide a financial boost to the ethanol and agricultural sectors.