KALBACH: We can't let Summit take our water

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a history of failing the people of Iowa. From letting corporate-backed factory farms foul our air and water with reckless abandon to issuing “slap on the wrist” fines and penalties to polluters, they’re not doing their job of “protecting and enhancing our natural resources.”

Right now, in the midst of a historic drought, the DNR is considering water use permits that would let Summit Carbon Solutions pump massive amounts of groundwater for its proposed CO2 pipeline. Given DNR’s track record, we have to make sure they don’t cave in to corporate interests once again.

The amount of energy it takes to capture and liquefy CO2 from enormous ethanol plants is huge. The amount of energy it takes to move that CO2 to North Dakota is also huge. Vast amounts of water are required to make Summit’s pipeline scheme work.

DNR already issued a 55.9 million gallons-per-year permit for an ethanol plant near Lawler last year. Another ethanol plant near Goldfield is currently asking DNR for a permit that would let Summit pump 27.6 million gallons of groundwater annually. And they’re just getting started.

Summit recently cut a deal with POET -- the self-proclaimed “world’s largest producer of biofuels” -- to boost the number of Iowa ethanol facilities in its pipeline network from 13 to 25. When all 25 of Summit’s ethanol partners apply for water use permits, their approval would mean Summit’s pipeline would tax our state’s groundwater by almost 1 billion gallons per year. And for what? Just to line the pockets of corporate agribusiness executives and wealthy investors, with little public benefit.

We’re deep into a three-and-half year drought that DNR says is Iowa’s longest since the 1950s. The U.S. Drought Monitor has 95% of Iowa classified as either extreme, severe or abnormally dry in their most recent report. We’re feeling it on my family farm. We can’t afford to be giving our water away in these drought conditions.

DNR’s Water Allocation and Use Program says its “authority for regulating water allocation arises from the State’s mission to protect public health and welfare. The use of water by one person can affect other nearby water users and the general public.”  Iowa statute provides an allocation based on “beneficial use” with these key points:

Water resources are to be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent possible. Waste, unreasonable use, and unreasonable methods of water use are prevented. Water conservation is expected.

When I read that list, it’s obvious that Summit’s water permits should be rejected. There’s zero “beneficial use” to Summit’s get-rich-quick scheme.

That’s why Iowa CCI members like me are organizing to make sure Summit’s project doesn’t further deplete our water resources.  We need DNR to do its job and put water protection and the public benefit ahead of corporate profits.

Fellow Iowans who are concerned about Summit’s impact on our groundwater can weigh in by emailing DNR Director Kayla Lyon at kayla.lyon@dnr.iowa.gov.  Tell her “No water use permits for CO2 pipelines”.  It’s the right thing to do.