McQuown and Norris continue calls for carbon pipeline ordinance passage

Rural Red Oak residents Maggie McQuown and Jan Norris were once again present at the latest Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting April 11 to advocate for the passage of the carbon pipeline ordinance drafted by Ahlers & Cooney attorney Tim Whipple.
McQuown spoke to the supervisors during the public comment period, and said all the work on the ordinance is done.
“The Planning and Zoning Commission has completed its work. They have created a hazardous liquid pipeline ordinance with advice and guidance from attorney Tim Whipple. They have written and submitted to the Board of Supervisors a comprehensive report on the proposed Hazardous Liquid Pipeline. The Planning and Zoning Commission supports adoption of the ordinance,” McQuown said.
As a member of the Montgomery County Board of Adjustment, McQuown said all the necessary action had been completed there as well.
“The board met with Tim Whipple to clarify the Ordinance’s provisions pertaining to the Board of Adjustment responsibilities and roles. The board is in support of and recommends adoption of the ordinance,” commented McQuown.
McQuown also cited that many Montgomery County landowners and residents have done their work by speaking up about their concerns and opposition to the Summit pipeline, both from a safety, but importantly, from a siting and routing standpoint. Also, McQuown stressed the need for safety.
“While safety and emergency readiness are major concerns, they remain outside the immediate jurisdictional control of Montgomery County. The federal governmen,t through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) jurisdictionally is responsible for safety guidelines. The new guidelines are being developed with an undetermined release date,” McQuown advised. “Land use, siting, and routing are the only jurisdictional controls Montgomery County, and Iowa, have in overseeing this pipeline. Therefore, we must make the most of this power. The ordinance gives us detailed guidelines for defending our county’s requirements for land use, siting and routing. A good defense is our best offense."
McQuown added the Montgomery County Supervisors, have done a lot of good work, including engaging an engineering firm to oversee inspections, engaging the legal advice of Tim Whipple, issuing a resolution opposing the use of eminent domain for securing land not secured through voluntary easements, and requested the Planning and Zoning Commission develop the ordinance. She felt it was time to take the next step.
“Now it is time to finish your work by moving forward with the final two public hearings and approval of the hazardous liquid pipeline ordinance. I encourage and plead with you to move forward quickly to approve this ordinance,” McQuown stated.
Norris echoed McQuown's statements, saying she was disappointed it had been six weeks since the ordinance had been on the agenda. She urged the supervisors not to take Summit Carbon's statements about not building at face value.
“Please do not let Summit's claims that they may not build down Western Iowa if Shelby County wins their lawsuit delay you in passing this ordinance. Your outside counsel told the board of adjustment we do not have forever to act. The intervention deadline is in July. Summit is using this as a delay tactic to convince you to wait, but by then, it may be too late,” advised Norris.
Also, Norris said the ordinance gave neighboring landowners to the pipeline an opportunity to be heard.
“Neighbors to the pipeline route do not have the opportunity to negotiate. This is the purpose of zoning. It gives a voice to all affected people. Many other counties are in the process of drafting ordinances. Ahlers & Cooney alone are working with at least 15. Even counties that are not yet impacted are taking the opportunity to pass their ordinances now," Norris said.
Norris told the supervisors that objections continue to be filed daily, including those filed by legislators and counties not along the route, and the Mills County township trustees had also raised objections.
No further discussion on the ordinance took place.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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