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Summit weighs new destinations for carbon pipeline: Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas

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Summit weighs new destinations for carbon pipeline: Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas


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  • Summit Carbon Solutions is asking Iowa regulators to amend its carbon dioxide pipeline permit to explore sequestration sites in other states.
  • Opponents, including landowners and environmental groups, are challenging Summit’s Iowa permit in court.
  • A judge is deciding whether to review the existing permit or send the case back to regulators to consider the proposed changes.

With Summit Carbon Solutions’ planned route effectively blocked by South Dakota’s ban on the company’s use of eminent domain, opponents question where it intends to sequester the carbon dioxide a $9 billion pipeline it proposes would collect from Iowa and other Midwestern ethanol plants.

The sequestration site is supposed to be in North Dakota, but reaching that state is problematic without running the pipeline through South Dakota, where Ames-based Summit not only faces the eminent domain ban but has yet to obtain a permit.

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Attorneys at a Polk District Court hearing Friday, Oct. 10, puzzled over the pipeline’s route as they debated whether Judge Scott Beattie should move forward with a judicial review of Summit’s Iowa permit for pipeline construction or, as Summit requests, return the case to the Iowa Utilities Commission so the panel can consider the company’s request to amend its permit.

That would make it possible for the company to consider other possible sites for sequestering the carbon emissions.

Bret Dublinske, a Summit attorney, said Friday that North Dakota used to be the only option. But now Tallgrass Energy is capturing carbon with its Trailblazer pipeline through Nebraska and sequestering it in Wyoming, and Colorado and Kansas, along with Nebraska, are seeking federal approval to store carbon, he said.

“We’re asking for permission to explore all options,” Dublinske said.

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Iowa regulators made approval of Summit’s permit contingent on it getting a permit to build the pipeline through South Dakota. The state’s regulators have twice rejected the company’s application, most recently, because it lacked a viable route after the ban on allowing it to use eminent domain, which would have enabled it to obtain access to property for the project from unwilling landowners.

Christina Gruenhagen, the Iowa Farm Bureau’s government relations counsel, said the project should go back to the state regulators to determine if it’s viable.

“It’s not clear whether this pipeline is still going to North Dakota, or will go around South Dakota, whether it’s going to stop in Nebraska, go to Wyoming, go to Kanas, we don’t know,” Gruenhagen said.

She said it raises questions about the use of eminent domain in Iowa, which some lawmakers want to strike down, and if the pipeline serves a public purpose.

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“At this point, we don’t know whether that pipeline can be completed to achieve the public purpose of sequestering carbon dioxide,” she said.

Here’s what to know about the discussion at Friday’s hearing.

What is Summit saying about its route and sequestration plans?

Summit spokesperson Sabrina Zenor said in a text Friday that the company’s proposed permit amendment “keeps open the option to transport CO2 west through Nebraska or north through South Dakota, which is part of our original permit.”

Summit wants to remove North Dakota as the sequestration location, change the pipeline size in some areas and add a customer.

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Taking the pipeline through Nebraska could make Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas and Colorado possible sequestration options.

Summit announced plans four years ago to build the 2,000-mile pipeline to capture carbon dioxide from dozens of ethanol plants in Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska, liquefy it under pressure, and sequester it deep underground in North Dakota.

Despite the challenges that have emerged, the company has said it remains committed to the project. Proponents say the pipeline would significantly lower the carbon footprint of ethanol made in Iowa and other states it serves, expand markets and qualify the corn-derived fuel as low carbon, making it eligible for generous federal tax credits.

“Our focus is on supporting as many ethanol partners as possible and building a strong foundation that helps farmers, ethanol plants, and rural communities access the markets they’ll depend on for decades to come,” Zenor said in her text Friday.

What’s the issue before the Polk District Court?

Nine Iowa counties, the Sierra Club’s state Chapter, landowners and others are challenging the Iowa Utilities Commission’s decision last year to give Summit a permit to build nearly 700 miles of pipeline across the state.

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Wally Taylor, the Sierra Club’s attorney; Brian Jorde, an Omaha attorney representing dozens of landowners; and others argued that the issues Beattie will consider are broader than those included in Summit’s proposed permit amendment.

Additionally, Jorde said that Summit should have known in 2023 that it would have difficulty getting a pipeline permit in South Dakota. The company lost its first permit request two years ago and legislative restrictions already were being proposed, he said. “They have done this to themselves,” Jorde said. “They have charted their own course, and now they want a redo.”

Dublinske said that argument doesn’t hold up: North Dakota also initially rejected Summit’s pipeline permit request in 2023, but the company won approval a year later.

Attorney: Summit seeks a ‘wholesale reboot’ of final order

Jason Craig, an attorney for the Iowa counties, said Summit seeks to move the case back to the utilities commission to “pursue an entirely new contested case proceedings — to change the project, change the route, change the pipe engineering, change the conditions of the permit” and consolidate the original pipeline with its proposed expanded route.

“That amendment will require full hearing procedures and will result in a separate final decision,” he said. “That’s not supplementing the record, your honor. That’s a wholesale reboot of the final order.”

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But Beattie expressed concern that if he moves forward with the judicial review, yet the permit also is amended, appellate courts could have “two independent and separate records that could result in conflicting matters.”

“Doesn’t it make more sense to send it back, let the commission sort all that out, put it in one clear package, and then move forward?” Beattie said.

Craig said landowners deserved to have the judge review the case instead of sending it back to the commission for “potentially years more” delay.

Beattie said he expects to issue a decision within a couple of weeks.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com.

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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops

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March 31 Deadline For Wyoming’s ‘Becoming An Outdoor Woman’ Workshops


Gaining the knowledge to become an outdoorsy type of person isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, and the desire to sometimes get out of your comfort zone. Sure, if you grew up in the outdoors, but it’s been a while since you’ve actually been out hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping, you may be a little rusty, but you have a leg up on those who haven’t.

If you’re in Wyoming, there’s a good chance that taking advantage of the incredible outdoor activities we have available has crossed your mind, but where to start is the big question. Asking others for help is one way, but there’s sometimes an element of intimidation or embarrassment involved.

If you’re a woman looking for that help and want to avoid the intimidation, you should really check out the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) workshops this summer. It’s held at the Whiskey Mountain Conservation Camp near Dubois, and everything you need to learn about the outdoors is provided, including food and lodging.

The registration deadline is March 31, meaning you have just a couple of weeks to apply for one or all of the offered workshops.

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There are multiple options available depending on your level of outdoor knowledge.

Basic BOW Workshop: Introductory level camp teaching outdoor survival, basic fly fishing, backpacking, how to shoot, outdoor photography, and more. There will be two of these workshops, June 5-7 and August 7-9. $150

Fly Fishing Beyond BOW Workshop: The focus here is on fly fishing. Learn the basics and then put them to use. This workshop runs July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Backpacking Beyond BOW: This workshop is all about backpacking, hiking, cooking on the trail, adjusting to the trail, and preparing for the trip. You’ll learn how to properly pack your bag, set up camp, and then head out on an overnight trip. July 30 – Aug 2. $150

Become a BOW Instructor: Here’s where you put your years of experience to work by sharing your skills and knowledge with others, helping them learn the tricks and tips of the outdoors.

Not only will these workshops help get you started on a life in the outdoors, but you’re likely going to gain some street cred with your family when you can teach them the skills they’ll need to get out and celebrate a Wyoming lifestyle.

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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels

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Snowpack In The South Laramie Range At Just Three Percent Of Normal Levels


The snowpack in the South Laramie Range in southeast Wyoming as of Monday was at three percent of normal, according to the Cheyenne Office of the National Weather Service.

And while other mountain ranges in southeast Wyoming were not nearly that low in snowpack, they were still well below normal at last report.

The agency posted the following on its website:

February was yet another warm and dry month, continuing the pattern that has dominated our area since last fall. Mountain snowpack remains well below average in southeast Wyoming, especially in the Laramie Range where snowpack is at an all time record low. For the plains, some light snow fell last month, but it was not enough to keep from increasing seasonal snowfall deficits. Cheyenne is off to its 4th least snowy start to the season since records began in the 1880s, and Scottsbluff has received the 2nd least snow since record began in the 1890s. We are now approximately two-thirds of the way through the snow accumulation season, with a little more than one-third to go in March, April, and into early May.

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But the good news is that after a wet 24 hours on Monday night/Tuesday, more snow may be headed our way on Friday.

Cheyenne, Laramie Forecasts

Cheyenne Forecast

Tonight

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 24. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday

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Sunny, with a high near 55. West wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain showers after 11am, mixing with snow after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Thursday Night

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

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A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Breezy.

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Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Breezy.

Monday

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Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Breezy.

Monday Night

A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Tuesday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Laramie Forecast

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 20. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

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Wednesday Night

Increasing clouds, with a low around 27. South wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of rain and snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night

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Snow showers. Low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday

Snow showers. High near 31. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night

A chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13.

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Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 39.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Sunday

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Sunny, with a high near 48. Breezy.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.

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Monday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 33.

Tuesday

A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy.

2026 WHSAA Wyoming State Wrestling Championship

Gallery Credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM

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Search and rescue license plates raise $33K at auction for statewide fund

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Search and rescue license plates raise K at auction for statewide fund


WYOMING — New specialty license plates rolled out by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) at the beginning of 2026 raised over $30,000 for Wyoming search and rescue (SAR) organizations in a statewide auction. The auction for the new SAR specialty license plates, hosted by WYDOT, offered residents the opportunity to bid on low-numbered license […]



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