Candidate Stances on Pipeline Eminent Domain Published
Iowa landowners are tracking which candidates support property rights protections ahead of the November general election.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Should the state prohibit the use of eminent domain for private carbon capture pipeline projects?
Iowa landowners recently surveyed political candidates on their support for using eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. The effort aims to pressure lawmakers ahead of the November 3, 2026, general election regarding property rights protections for private infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
The survey results provide a resource for business owners and landowners to evaluate candidate positions on eminent domain, a critical factor for future property rights and the regulatory environment surrounding industrial development in the state.
A total of 66 candidates across multiple parties responded to the landowner questionnaire, which included 28 Democrats, 30 Republicans, 6 Independents, and 2 Libertarians. The scope of this advocacy effort covers candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, state Legislature, and county offices.
The players
Kim Reynolds
The current Governor of Iowa who vetoed 2025 legislation aimed at restricting carbon capture pipeline expansion.
Iowa Utilities Commission
The state regulatory agency that oversees utility permits and approved the Summit Carbon Solutions project in 2024.
Summit Carbon Solutions
A developer of carbon capture pipeline infrastructure currently navigating state permitting and property rights challenges.
The details
The survey asks five questions focused on private property rights and the application of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. Organizers published these responses on a public website to influence voter decision-making in the upcoming election. The next governor will hold significant sway over these projects, as they possess the power to appoint commissioners to the Iowa Utilities Commission and approve or reject future legislative restrictions on eminent domain usage.
Timeline
2024: The Iowa Utilities Commission approved the permit for the Summit Carbon Solutions project.
2025: Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed legislation that would have restricted carbon capture pipeline development.
Thursday, Oct 9, 2026: Landowners held a news conference regarding the survey results.
Nov 3, 2026: The Iowa general election will take place.
Market Landscape
This campaign directly targets the regulatory environment surrounding the Iowa Utilities Commission approval process for carbon capture pipelines. It follows a contentious period where state-level efforts to restrict such projects through legislation were vetoed.
Operators concerned with property rights and industrial development should review the collected candidate responses to gauge which path future land-use policy may take. The upcoming election outcomes will directly impact the appointment of commissioners and the likelihood of future eminent domain legislation.
The takeaway
Landowners are leveraging public candidate positions to shape future property rights policies before the state election. Owners should monitor these candidate websites and legislative platforms to prepare for potential changes in the regulatory oversight of private development projects.
Further reading
For broader trends in infrastructure regulation, see Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Iowacapitaldispatch.
Live Poll
Should the state prohibit the use of eminent domain for private carbon capture pipeline projects?
