DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG/Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Summit Carbon Solutions, the company proposing to build more than 1,000 miles of carbon sequestration pipeline through Iowa, announced Monday a community and landownership partnership program and updated commitments. The partnership focuses on safety precautions, operational transparency and increased benefits to landowners and counties where the pipeline route is slated to be built. The letters were sent to county supervisors and county emergency managers Monday, but a Summit representative said they should be sent to all Iowa landowners over the next week and a half. The letter outlines seven commitments to landowners and counties, as well as an explanation of how the project adheres to and “often exceeds” federal pipeline safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, or PHMSA.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (KCRG/KCCI) – Iowa public health officials say the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Marshall County has increased to 54 since August. State officials reported an increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases from 38 on Thursday to 54 on Monday. The number of cases has doubled in less than two weeks. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services first reported on the illness in the region on September 4. A retired Catholic priest is the only confirmed death so far. Local health officials are ramping up efforts to identify the source of the Legionella bacteria. Residents are seeking more details regarding specific areas of Marshalltown that may be affected. The Marshall County Public Health Director says testing of cooling towers in the area is underway and urged owners of cooling towers to treat the water with chemicals to disinfect them. Health officials advise anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. It can be treated, but older people and those with underlying conditions are at risk for severe complications.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Cedar Rapids man was charged after allegedly trying to stab someone at a sushi restaurant on Saturday. Kaitson Pau was charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon after allegedly trying to stab someone at 5350 Council Street NE, known as Oyama Sushi. The defendants two older brothers arrived when the male victim was walking into Oyama from the backside. Pau allegedly attempted to stab him with a kitchen knife, according to a criminal complaint. Police allege Pau made a “jabbing motion” to the victim’s side with a long, silver blade. The criminal complaint says the defendant’s brother confirmed they fought but claimed the knife was not involved. He said he had taken it away before they got into an altercation. Police located the suspect at an apartment complex, where the victim identified both the individual and the knife from the suspect’s vehicle.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A report commissioned by the Cedar Rapids Airport Commission recommends that Alliant Energy find an alternative site for its proposed natural gas plant. The report was released by airport officials on Monday. It mandates that airport operators preserve land use compatibility. The report says this is necessary for ensuring the safety of aircraft, minimizing public disruptions, meeting eligibility requirements for grants, and compiling to airport design standards. Alliant is looking to potentially build the plant in the area of 76th Avenue SW near Fairfax, positioning it just a few miles away from the Eastern Iowa Airport’s main runway. This would cause significant disruptions to airport operations, according to the report. Emissions from the stacks, such as thermal plumes and smoke, could enter the business jet traffic pattern, which raises potential safety concerns related to visibility and turbulence. Alliant has said it’s open to discussing other sites for construction. Previous reports said Alliant Energy is planning to move forward with the Iowa Utilities Commission in October.
