Letter to the Editor: Gov. Reynolds should sign House File 639

By Deb R. Freeman, St. Ansgar; Margaret Meyer, St. Ansgar; Duane C Rustad, Grafton; Taylor R Huniker, Grafton; and Lisa Ritzert, landowner Mitchell County

Landowners in Iowa need Gov.Reynolds to sign HF 639 into law. This bill does not stop the hazardous CO2 pipeline, but it does help to even the rules.

This bill puts into place liability insurance coverage paid by Summit, mandates that the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) be present at all meetings that their own process requires, and allows persons within the risk area of the pipeline to participate and do what’s called “intervene” and explain to the IUC why this project is a risk to them and the landowners directly affected.

• HF639 protects property rights.

• HF639 is a well thought-out, commonsense bill.

• HF639 passed with 85 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate.

• HF639 is supported by Iowa farmers and landowners across the state.

• HF639 is supported by the Iowa State Association of Counties and the Iowa State Association of County Supervisors.

• HF639 is good policy addressing issues facing Iowans right now.

• 78% -81% of Iowans are opposed to eminent domain for carbon pipelines (based on polls).

Please call the governor at 515-281-5211 and ask her to sign this bill into law! She has had the bill on her desk since the week of 5/13/25. Typically the governor would have 30 days to sign into law, or it fails.