Poll: 81% Oppose Eminent Domain for Private Use Across Midwest States Facing CO2 Pipelines, Carbon Capture Projects
Poll: 81% Oppose Eminent Domain for Private Use Across Midwest States Facing CO2 Pipelines, Carbon Capture Projects
Sept. 4, 2024, Hastings, NE – An overwhelming 81% of registered voters say they oppose corporations utilizing eminent domain for private projects, according to a new poll. The poll, commissioned by Bold Alliance, was conducted by Embold Research and surveyed registered voters across six Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota) pushing back against proposals from privately owned corporations looking to construct carbon pipeline and underground CO2 waste dump projects. As Election Day approaches, the poll results indicate that a majority of voters from every side of the aisle align in their opposition to the misuse of eminent domain.
The poll commissioned by Bold Alliance, which advocates in rural states to protect land and water from fossil fuel projects such as risky carbon pipelines, showed strong familiarity (81%) with the concept of eminent domain across the impacted states (36% “very familiar”; 46% “somewhat familiar”), and the same number (81%) oppose the use of eminent domain for private use – with examples of private use including corporations building pipelines or shopping malls (63% “strongly oppose”; 18% “somewhat oppose”).
Iowa registered voters were asked about concerns with carbon capture and storage projects, and how serious they considered them. A total of 94% of respondents called it a “serious” concern if “corporations are allowed to seize people’s private property to build carbon capture and storage projects” (77% called it a “very serious” and 17% a “somewhat serious” concern). Meanwhile, 88% called it a “serious” concern that “carbon capture and storage poses the risk of carbon dioxide leaks at potentially lethal levels” (65% called it a “very serious” and 23% a “somewhat serious” concern).
In South Dakota, registered voters were questioned about their opinion on an industry-friendly and landowner-opposed law passed by the state legislature this year: “The South Dakota legislature recently passed a law restricting local control and taking away the right of counties to implement measures to protect communities from carbon pipelines. Do you support or oppose this law?” Sixty-five percent (65%) of South Dakota voters said they oppose the new law.
In Indiana, voters were asked about concerns with carbon capture and storage projects, and how serious they considered them. A total of 97% of respondents called it a “serious” concern if “corporations are allowed to seize people’s private property to build carbon capture and storage projects” (85% called it a “very serious” and 12% a “somewhat serious” concern). Meanwhile, 92% called it a “serious” concern that “carbon capture and storage poses the risk of carbon dioxide leaks at potentially lethal levels” (77% called it a “very serious” and 15% a “somewhat serious” concern).
Another question asked Indiana voters specifically whether they support or oppose Wabash Valley Resources’ proposed carbon injection wells, after learning that supporters say it will boost the state economy by creating more high-quality jobs and be completely safe because the carbon is stored so deep underground, while opponents argue that large-scale carbon injection can cause earthquakes and that potential leaks could contaminate water supplies and pose health risks to local communities. The poll found 71% of Indiana voters oppose the Wabash Valley Resources proposed injection wells, while 14% support.
When voters in North Dakota were asked about concerns with carbon capture and storage projects, and how serious they considered them, 90% called it a “serious” concern if “corporations are allowed to seize people’s private property to build carbon capture and storage projects” (70% called it a “very serious” and 20% a “somewhat serious” concern).
In Illinois, when voters were asked about concerns with carbon capture and storage projects, and how serious they considered them, 94% called it a “serious” concern if “corporations are allowed to seize people’s private property to build carbon capture and storage projects” (79% called it a “very serious” and 15% a “somewhat serious” concern).
The poll also asked Illinois voters about a bill recently signed by Gov. Pritzker allowing carbon dioxide to be stored under the Mahomet Aquifer, which supporters argue will reduce carbon emissions in the state and will be completely safe because it is so deep underground, while opponents argue a leak could destroy one of Illinois’s most important water sources, as the aquifer provides water to millions of people. The poll found 71% of registered voters oppose storing carbon dioxide under the Mahomet Aquifer.
In Nebraska, 85% of registered voters polled are opposed to eminent domain for private use.
“We’ve heard carbon capture corporations call those opposed to their schemes ‘the vocal minority’ time and time again. We can add that to the list of mistruths the industry has tried to spread. There is no denying the fact that the majority of Midwesterners stand against the growing wave of corporate power attempting to run roughshod over our communities and way of life,” said Emma Schmit, Pipeline Organizer with Bold Alliance.
“Poll results echo the sentiments we’ve been hearing in Illinois as carbon pipelines and storage projects are increasingly being proposed in our state,” said Pam Richart, Co-Director, Eco-Justice Collaborative and coordinator of the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines. “Landowners are adamantly opposed to allowing private corporations to take their land for projects they believe are not in the public interest and could have lasting harmful effects on their property, water, and health.” Richart also said that poll results show opposition to storing CO2 under the Mahomet Aquifer is growing. “People across Illinois clearly recognize there is no guarantee that sequestered CO2 will not leak,” said Richart. “If it does, it could contaminate the Mahomet Aquifer with heavy metals. Our local lawmakers are taking the lead and introducing legislation to fix this. Lawmakers across the state need to know that the U.S. EPA previously determined that contamination of the Mahomet Aquifer System would pose a significant risk to public health in eastern central Illinois.”
Jess Mazour, Conservation Program Coordinator for Sierra Club Iowa Chapter, said: “The people of Iowa have made it clear for over three years, we do not want Summit’s carbon pipeline scam. Our opposition is widespread, diverse and steadfast. We will not stop until we stop Summit.”
Chase Jensen, Senior Organizer for Dakota Rural Action in South Dakota, said: “South Dakotans overwhelmingly oppose Summit Carbon Solutions’ pipeline and their use of eminent domain. We see Referred Law 21, the so-called “Landowner Bill of Rights”, for what it is – a “Summit Pipeline Bill of Rights”. We will continue to oppose their efforts to strip away local control, and encourage South Dakotans to vote NO on RL-21.
Scott Skokos, Executive Director of North Dakota-based Dakota Resource Council, stated, “These poll results clearly demonstrate that the public is deeply skeptical of using eminent domain to benefit private corporations, especially for controversial projects like carbon capture and storage. The overwhelming opposition to these projects highlights the urgent need for policymakers to listen to their constituents and prioritize the rights of landowners and the safety of our communities. It’s time to rethink the push for carbon pipelines and focus on real solutions that protect both our environment and our property rights.”
“Nebraska landowners like my family whose Century Farm is threatened by these potentially deadly carbon pipelines are not surprised to learn that 85% of Nebraskans oppose eminent domain for private use,” said Shelli Meyer, Landowner Organizer with the Nebraska Easement Action Team. “Nebraska’s County Boards should be encouraged by this poll of our state’s registered voters to continue to deny any of Summit’s requests.”
“As an Indiana landowner, the poll results were not at all surprising. The vast majority of our community is against the Wabash Valley Resources’ CCS pilot project. WVR wants to take our land for their private gain, while putting our community at risk. We will not stand for this and will continue our efforts in stopping these dangerous CO2 pipelines and injection dumps,” said Susan Strole-Kos, an Indiana community organizer and landowner impacted by the proposed CCS project.
The Embold Research poll consisted of 2,479 interviews with registered voters in IL, IA, IN, ND, NE and SD from July 25-31, 2024. (Margin of error = +/- 2.2%).
About Bold Alliance:
The Bold Alliance is a network of “small and mighty” groups in rural states working to protect land and water. We fight fossil fuel projects, protect landowners against eminent domain abuse, and work for clean energy solutions while building an engaged base of citizens who care about the land, water, and climate change. (https://boldalliance.org)
About Embold Research: Embold Research is the nonpartisan unit of Change Research. We use the same accurate methodology and technology. Because electoral outcomes provide a uniquely objective benchmark of accuracy, the data that follows focuses on our methodology’s track record in political polling. (https://emboldresearch.com)