It is likely to be months before The Iowa Utilities Board issues a decision on the Summit carbon capture pipeline. On Friday, Iowa regulators concluded a hearing on Summit’s requet to build a $5.5 billion pipeline across the state.
Wally Taylor is an attorney for the Sierra Club's Iowa Chapter, which opposes the project. He tells The Iowa Capital Dispatch regulators are unlikely to issue a decision on Summit's request until March or April. The board says there is no deadline for issuing an order on Summit's request. https://bitly.ws/32
The Ames company is asking for a construction permit and eminent domain powers to acquire land access. The proposed pipeline would stretch across Iowa and four other states and transport liquefied carbon dioxide emissions from about 30 ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground sequestration.
The three-member panel said the eight-week public hearing in Fort Dodge was the agency’s longest on record.
A land trust, state university and conservation group will receive a combined total of $51 million in federal funding to incentivize “climate-smart” agriculture in South Dakota, according to the Argus Leader. https://bitly.ws/32eeA
The biggest grant went to Ducks Unlimited, a hunter-led organization focused on habitat conservation. It was awarded$25 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restore over 25,000 acres of grassland in South Dakota over the next five years.
Changes are coming next tax season for Iowans who file individual income tax returns. Individuals who file Iowa income tax, fiduciary, and inheritance taxes can now make payments and manage their accounts through GovConnectIowa, the State’s secure online tax and licensing portal. The portal replaced the previous system called eFile & Pay.
https://tax.iowa.gov/govconnectiowa
The Iowa Department of Revenue is in the third rollout of a multi-year effort to modernize and simplify processes for individual taxpayers and businesses in Iowa. On November 13, The State added additional tax types and increased online service functionality. New features for making payments and account management for individual income tax, fiduciary, and inheritance taxes
The University of South Dakota has launched a new 24/7 mental health support line called Coyote Care, powered by Christie Campus Health, according to the Argus Leader. Coyote Care replaces USD’s former crisis line, which connected students to on-call counselors through the University Police Department.
USD students on- or off-campus, or abroad, can call the number 833-569-1686 and talk to licensed mental health professionals, receive unlimited clinical support, risk assessment, connections to therapy, emergency response, and identify students of concern.
