Pipeline's Legal Quagmire

Navigator CO2 Ventures, a company aiming to build a 1,300-mile pipeline system across five Midwestern states to transport captured carbon dioxide for underground storage, has filed over 600 lawsuits against landowners in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. These lawsuits seek eminent domain to access private property for surveying purposes, despite the company lacking the necessary permits to construct the pipeline. The company argues that these surveys are essential for determining the optimal route and environmental impact. Landowners, however, contend that Navigator is prematurely using eminent domain, a power typically reserved for projects deemed to be in the public interest and for which all required approvals are secured. The legal battles are escalating as landowners resist granting access to their property, citing concerns about property rights, potential safety hazards associated with CO2 pipelines, and the lack of transparency in the permitting process. Courts in some states have sided with Navigator, granting access for surveying, while others have ruled in favor of landowners. The lawsuits are causing significant anxiety and financial strain for those affected, and the outcomes of these cases could significantly impact the future of carbon capture pipeline projects in the region. The ultimate fate of the project and the legality of Navigator's tactics remain uncertain pending ongoing regulatory reviews and court decisions. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/pipeline-company-filed-hundreds-lawsuits-121049636.html