To the editor:

Here we are, nearing the end of yet another legislative session with no action on eminent domain reform. Meanwhile, landowners opposed to Summit Carbon Solutions’ CO2 pipeline remain in limbo as we seek help from lawmakers to codify and ban the unconstitutional use of eminent domain for profit without public use or necessity.

During the past four years, a handful of eminent domain reform bills have passed out of the House only to die in the Senate Commerce Committee. It’s time to look past the Legislature to the Governor’s office and the possibility of its involvement with the unfair treatment of landowners. Several interesting facts support the likelihood of a connection.

Gov. Kim Reynolds is a protege of former Gov. Terry Branstad. Coincidentally, Branstad is now the senior policy advisor for Summit Carbon Solutions. Branstad isn’t the only Summit executive with prior connections to the governor’s office. Summit’s VP of Government Affairs, Jake Ketzner, previously served as Chief of Staff to Gov. Reynolds as well as administrative legislative liaison for both Branstad and Reynolds. Interestingly, another (former) Summit executive, Sen. Mike Bousselot, chairs the Senate Commerce Committee — where our bills go to die.

One must also consider the connection between Gov. Reynolds and Bruce Rastetter, owner of Summit Carbon Solutions. Public records show Rastetter has contributed over $160,000 to Reynolds’ campaigns over the years. Furthermore, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests obtained by the landowners’ attorney, Brian Jorde, reveal Gov. Kim Reynolds and Bruce Rastetter exchanged 800 emails between 2020-2022, many of which included plans for lunch. A more recent FOIA request by Bold Alliance (2024) produced more than 20,000 possible documents.

In stark contrast, Reynolds has refused to meet with landowners for four years despite our numerous letters, phone calls, emails, and in-person requests made to her staff and to her personally. The governor will not address our concerns about eminent domain abuse, hazardous CO2 pipeline safety, and land destruction.

Reynolds says she “doesn’t like eminent domain,” but “there is a process,” and “they [landowners] will be fairly reimbursed.” Does the governor understand “the process” — the stress of defending our property at an evidentiary hearing before the Iowa Utilities Board and the anxiety of having our land condemned? Does she realize there is no “fair reimbursement” for the risk encumbered with a hazardous CO2 pipeline on our property? Does Gov. Reynolds know this is not just another pipeline?

As a registered Republican, I’ve reluctantly considered the possibility that Reynolds uses the weight of the governor’s office to tip the scales in favor of Summit Carbon Solutions. Regrettably, I’ve concluded that her record speaks for itself.

According to an Iowa Poll, 80% of Iowans disapprove of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. Iowa legislators need to tune out the governor’s office and listen to their constituents. A window of opportunity remains to restore property rights and enact eminent domain reform before this session ends. After four years of waiting, Iowa landowners deserve to be heard.

Bonnie Ewoldt

Milford