Few Republicans in Iowa have publicly spoken out in favor of the carbon pipeline projects, but Congressman Randy Feenstra did write extensively about the project last year.
Last December, Feenstra wrote a column called “Carbon capture will enhance ethanol industry and support Iowa’s corn growers.”
Feenstra said we need to continue taking steps necessary to ensure ethanol remains competitive and one of the most immediate steps we could take is developing and expanding infrastructure that supports carbon capture and storage projects.
“The economic benefits are enormous,” Feenstra wrote about carbon capture and storage projects.
Feenstra wrote one example happens to be the Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed Midwest Carbon Express project. Feenstra highlighted positive aspects of the project.
“I believe we need to look at carbon capture and storage as one of the best and most immediate steps we can take to realize meaningful economic and environmental benefits,” he wrote.
Now sure, Summit Agricultural Group just happened to give Feenstra’s 2022 campaign $14,100, which put them as Feenstra’s second-largest donor according to the N’West Iowa REVIEW.
And in addition, Bruce Rastetter, the CEO of Summit, has given Feenstra $11,400 in his two congressional campaigns.
Oh, and sure, Rastetter also gave $4,200 to Feenstra’s “Delivers PAC.”
Oh, yeah. And Rastetter gave $10,000 to the Feenstra Victory Fund.
And you can watch Feenstra discuss the project to capture carbon and efforts to achieve “significant lower carbon emissions.”
Ethanol will never be competitive. It will always be a taxpayer subsidized boondoggle for the benefit of corn growers, and honestly, those are the only Iowans that Iowa legislators care about. That is where the money is. Carbon is not harmful. For heavens sake, just plant more trees! I suppose as long as there is money to be made, this insanity will continue.
Touche Pat!!