Speak Up on Iowa’s Carbon Pipeline Decisions

12 Messengers of 100 goal

Iowa legislators are weighing proposals related to eminent domain and carbon pipelines that will shape the future of Iowa agriculture.

Two recent Des Moines Register opinion pieces highlight what’s at stake:

Austin Miller, Iowa farmer and engineer warns that if access to carbon capture and sequestration technology is cut off, the long-term impact on Iowa’s corn and ethanol industries will be significant — affecting markets, investment and whether agricultural value stays in Iowa or shifts to neighboring states.
The Des Moines Register editorial board cautions against retroactively changing the rules after years of regulatory review and private investment, noting that how Iowa handles this moment will send a signal far beyond a single project.

Together, they underscore the need for careful, balanced decision-making.

Join others who have already added their voice and send your message to Iowa’s state representatives and state senators TODAY!

Send your letter below!

Dear [Lawmaker],

As you consider proposals related to eminent domain and carbon pipelines this session, I encourage you to read two recent opinion pieces in the Des Moines Register. Together, they reflect the complexity of the decisions before you and the real-world consequences those decisions will have for Iowa agriculture and rural communities.

One was written by Austin Miller, a young Iowa farmer and engineer. He is clear that eminent domain should never be a first resort. At the same time, he raises an important point that deserves your attention: if access to carbon capture and sequestration technology is cut off, the long-term impact on Iowa’s corn and ethanol industries will be significant. His concern is not theoretical. It is about markets, investment, and whether Iowa remains a place where corn is grown and processed—or whether that value shifts to neighboring states.

The second piece, from the Register’s editorial board, looks at the issue from a broader policy perspective. It acknowledges the need for stronger property-rights protections, while also cautioning against retroactively changing the rules after years of regulatory review and private investment. That warning matters. How Iowa handles this moment will send a signal well beyond a single project, shaping how businesses and agricultural partners view the state going forward.

As a farmer and someone who has spent decades advocating for Iowa corn growers, I do not believe this decision should be framed as all-or-nothing. Protecting private property rights is important. So is ensuring Iowa agriculture remains competitive during a time of tight margins and rising input costs. You are being asked to weigh both—and to do so carefully.

The choices you make this session will have lasting impacts for decades on Iowa farmers. I urge you to seek a balanced approach that strengthens landowner protections without closing the door on investment, innovation, and market access for Iowa agriculture.

Article 1: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2026/01/25/summit-carbon-pipeline-eminent-domain/88291563007/?

Article 2: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2026/01/25/carbon-pipeline-farmers/88291177007/?

Respectfully,
______

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