POET Biorefining and Summit Carbon Solutions have partnered to link POET’s facilities to Summit’s proposed carbon capture pipeline project that runs through Iowa. This collaboration aims to capture CO2 generated from POET’s bioethanol production process and store it underground in North Dakota. POET’s 12 Iowa and five South Dakota facilities will contribute to the Summit project, enabling the annual capture, transportation, and permanent storage of an estimated 4.7 million metric tons of CO2. POET CEO Jeff Broin says, “POET is excited to partner with Summit Carbon Solutions on this historic project. As the world seeks low-carbon energy solutions, carbon capture ensures that ag-based biofuels will remain competitive for decades to come. This is a tremendous opportunity to bring value to farmers, bioethanol producers, and rural communities and counties in participating states, and I believe it will unleash even more opportunities for ag and bioprocessing in the future.” One leg of the currently proposed route brings the pipeline south through the eastern edge of Ida County, the middle of Crawford County, and the western edge of Shelby County to connect with a plant in Shenandoah. POET operates a facility near Coon Rapids in Guthrie County. New route proposals have not been released, but the most likely connections would be to the west through Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, and Shelby Counties or to the northeast to a spur at Grand Junction. Pipeline companies proposed use of eminent domain has sparked significant pushback from Iowans, particularly those whose property lies on the route. Legislators in the Iowa House have indicated they plan to move legislation that would place additional regulations and approval requirements for pipeline operators. Summit is yet to file application paperwork with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB), and its previous application is still pending final approval.
