Summit pipeline hearings in Iowa could continue in November

(The Center Square) – The Iowa Utilities Board is looking at dates in early November for more hearings on a carbon dioxide pipeline.

The board wrapped up its seventh week of hearings on the Summit Carbon Solutions proposed pipeline on Thursday afternoon. Chairman Erik M. Helland is working with the hearing parties on the dates, according to an email from Don Tormey, director of communications for IUB.

The pipeline will traverse through five states, with 720 miles of the 2,220-mile route going through Iowa.

North Dakota and South Dakota regulators denied Summit permits in their state, but the North Dakota board said the company can reapply. Iowa regulators have not indicated when they will make a decision.

IUB canceled its regular meetings through the end of the year because of its high volume of proceedings, which include Summit.

Next week, hearings begin on advanced rulemaking principles for MidAmerican Energy Company.

Advance rulemaking gives utilities “an opportunity to add electric generation in Iowa and to receive advance ratemaking decisions from the IUB, Tormey said.

“As part of the request, the utility is required to show 1) it has an energy efficiency plan in place, and 2) it has considered other generation options,” Tormey said. “Advance ratemaking principles do not increase rates for customers. They do establish pre-approved approaches to addressing specific issues for rate-regulated utilities, which reduces risk and creates sufficient certainty for the utility to move forward with making the investments.”