A bill was introduced in the Indiana Senate that will provide companies that construct and operate pipelines the authority to use eminent domain to acquire pipeline right-of-ways for carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines. This is not a new concept. Indiana has existing legislative statutes that provide eminent domain rights for pipelines that transport other products. Senate Bill 115 will amend the existing statute to include pipelines that transport carbon dioxide.

The bill was sent to Committee for review, corrections and reporting. The committee reported favorably back the Senate and recommended that the Senate vote to pass the bill.

The bill will have to be signed by the Governor of Indiana before it will become law. Governor Daniels has been supportive of legislation that promotes the development of coal gasification facilities in the past. Governor Daniels signed legislation that permitted the state to enter into long term off take agreements. For this reason, it’s expected that Governor Daniel will sign this legislation when it reaches his desk.