For Immediate Release

A new poll, released today by the national advocacy group, Food & Water Action, found that Iowa voters overwhelmingly oppose the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines. The poll, commissioned by Food & Water Action, was conducted by Change Research. Its release comes one week after a public hearing on the issue, where over 150 landowners, legislators and advocates rallied at the capitol, demanding the state legislature act this session to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines. Poll results highlight that eminent domain is top of mind for registered voters heading into the midterm election.

Voters object to carbon pipelines and the use of eminent domain to build them:

• A plurality (44%) are opposed to the three carbon pipelines proposed for Iowa. Only 35% support them, 21% are unsure.
• A supermajority (80%) oppose allowing private corporations to use eminent domain to build them. This opposition crosses party lines.
• 80% of voters who are favorable towards Kim Reynolds oppose the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines.

Voters want their legislators to fight the use of eminent domain to build these pipelines:

• 73% of voters say they would be less likely to vote for a candidate who supported using eminent domain to build carbon pipelines. This includes 78% of Democrats & leaners, 70% of Independents, and 69% of Republicans & leaners.
• 70% of voters support Iowa legislators in the General Assembly blocking the use of eminent domain for these pipelines. This includes 72% of Democrats & leaners, 69% of Independents, and 69% of Republicans & leaners.

Food & Water Action Senior Iowa Organizer Emma Schmit issued the following statement:

“Iowans are united against unsound carbon capture scams and the hazardous pipelines that accompany them. We are opposed to carbon pipelines and categorically opposed to the seizing of land necessary to build them.

“Iowans know that the proposed projects aren’t intended to help our state — instead, these schemes are designed to funnel profit into the pockets of huge corporations, taking our land and using our tax dollars to make it happen. We are staunchly opposed to the use of eminent domain in order to fulfill the greedy aspirations of private corporations.

“Voters will not take inaction as an answer. Iowa’s State Senators must address the predominant concerns of constituents by banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines this session — or else feel the consequences at the ballot box.”

Contact: Phoebe Galt, [email protected]