Iowa Ethanol Groups Press Carbon Capture Access Case

Iowa's renewable fuels and corn growers associations have urged state regulators to act quickly on carbon capture permits as rival states draw new ethanol investment.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Organic Food

Isometric editorial illustration of a tall steel distillation column beside a diagonal trench across flat cropland, rendered in muted oxblood, teal, and mustard. — Iowa ethanol trade groups urged state regulators to expedite Summit Carbon Solutions' carbon capture permits, warning that plants without access are losing ground to producers in other states. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and Iowa Corn Growers Association submitted written comments to the Iowa Utilities Commission on access to carbon capture for ethanol producers. The groups argue that Iowa ethanol plants without carbon capture are losing ground to producers in other states.

Why it matters

The comments frame carbon capture access as a competitive issue for Iowa's ethanol industry and its farm economy, which the filing says has seen rising bankruptcies and falling income. The groups request that Summit Carbon Solutions' permit requests be considered expeditiously.

The comments cite hundreds of millions of gallons of new Midwest ethanol capacity using carbon capture, while Iowa plants lack sequestration access. The filing does not say when the Iowa Utilities Commission will rule on pending permits.

The players

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is the state trade group representing ethanol producers and advocating for their policy interests.

Iowa Corn Growers Association

The Iowa Corn Growers Association is a state farm organization that represents corn growers and advocates for policies affecting corn markets.

Iowa Utilities Commission

The Iowa Utilities Commission is the state regulatory body that oversees utilities and reviews infrastructure permit applications, including pipeline projects.

Summit Carbon Solutions

Summit Carbon Solutions is a company developing a CO2 pipeline project to carry captured carbon from Midwest ethanol plants for sequestration.

Colin Gorton

Colin Gorton is the policy director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association who spoke publicly about the state's carbon capture disadvantage.

The details

The associations submitted their comments in writing to the Iowa Utilities Commission, referencing Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline as a carbon capture tool. IRFA Policy Director Colin Gorton said Iowa is no longer the best place to produce a gallon of ethanol because its plants cannot sequester CO2.

2026: A study commissioned by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and Iowa Corn Growers Association concluded the farm bankruptcy trend could be reversed.
Friday before November 10, 2026: The groups submitted written comments to the Iowa Utilities Commission.

Industry Landscape

The comments tie Iowa's ethanol competitiveness to Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline, which is the carbon capture route the groups say neighboring states' producers already use. Without that access, the filing argues Iowa plants are being bypassed by new Midwest expansions.

For Iowa residents, the outcome of the carbon capture permits could shape whether ethanol plants in the state keep operating or expand. The filing does not state a decision date for the Iowa Utilities Commission.

The takeaway

Carbon capture access is emerging as a factor in where ethanol capacity is built, and Iowa's regulatory decisions on pipeline permits could affect the state's share of that investment. Readers following Iowa's farm economy should watch for the commission's ruling.