South Dakota deals fatal blow to CO2 pipeline

It’s no secret that I view Donald Trump as a dangerous, narcissistic authoritarian, even as I respect my friends and acquaintances who voted for him. My question for these friends is this: Has Trump delivered what you hoped for, or has he gone off the rails in directions you hadn’t anticipated?

Take eminent domain. Trump supports it. Strongly. Years ago, he even said: “I happen to agree with it 100%. If you have a person living in an area that’s not even necessarily a good area, and … government wants to build a tremendous economic development, where a lot of people are going to be put to work and … create thousands upon thousands of jobs and beautification and lots of other things, I think it happens to be good.”

Trump’s willingness to take people’s property by force might explain why he hasn’t cancelled the 45Q tax credits. Without that handout, Summit Carbon Solutions’ CO2 pipeline isn’t viable. Continue Reading →

Blame Gov. Reynolds for the pipeline most Iowans oppose

Though she’d like you to believe otherwise, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is the primary political force behind Summit’s Carbon Pipeline. Here are five smoking guns that leave no doubt about her essential culpability in this assault on rural Iowa and beyond:

1. KIM REYNOLDS’ SILENCE. Nearly 80% of Iowans oppose using eminent domain to build CO2 pipelines. The only time politicians don’t talk about an issue when public opinion is lopsided is when they’re on the wrong side. I attempted multiple online searches for variations on “Gov Kim Reynolds’ statements on Summit pipeline.” Nothing. She’s done a total dodge on the issue.

Let’s change that. See below for action item #1. Continue Reading →