Across the heartland of America, farmers and rural communities are sounding the alarm over a growing threat to their way of life: carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipelines. These projects, often tied to green energy initiatives, are raising fears about land grabs, environmental risks, and the erosion of property rights. With the introduction of President Donald Trump’s proposed Budget Reconciliation Act, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” these concerns have intensified, as critics warn that the legislation could exacerbate the very issues it claims to address, potentially codifying mechanisms for large-scale land seizures under the guise of environmental progress.
The Carbon Capture Pipeline Controversy
Carbon capture pipelines are designed to transport captured carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial sources to underground storage sites, a process promoted as a tool to combat climate change. However, the infrastructure required—spanning thousands of miles across rural landscapes—has sparked fierce opposition from farmers, ranchers, and agricultural advocates. These pipelines, such as the proposed 2,500-mile Summit CO2 pipeline project across five states, often cut through privately owned farmland, threatening livelihoods, water supplies, and the environment.
For farmers, the stakes are deeply personal. Their land, often passed down through generations, is not just a source of income but a cornerstone of their identity. Yet, many report feeling powerless as private companies, backed by federal incentives like the 45Q tax credit, push to acquire land through eminent domain or relaxed regulations. These projects, often funded by private equity giants like BlackRock and Vanguard, are seen as prioritizing corporate profits over rural communities.
The risks are not merely economic. Carbon capture pipelines pose significant safety concerns. CO2 leaks can be deadly, as high concentrations of the gas can displace oxygen, posing risks to humans and livestock. A 2020 pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi, hospitalized dozens and forced evacuations, underscoring the potential dangers. Additionally, pipeline construction can disrupt soil health, contaminate water sources, and degrade farmland, threatening food security and rural ecosystems.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” and the Fear of Codified Land Grabs
The “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sprawling 1,116-page legislative package, has been touted by Republicans as a vehicle to advance President Trump’s agenda, including curbing funding for initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and dismantling what many conservatives call the “Green New Deal scam.” However, section 41001 of the bill has raised red flags among rural advocates and lawmakers. This section contains language that could centralize local authority over land use to the federal government, potentially overriding state laws that protect landowners from forced land acquisitions for carbon capture projects.
Critics, including agricultural advocates like Brian Radke and South Dakota Speaker Jon Hansen, argue that this provision could enable private companies to seize land more easily for CCS pipelines. “While we’ve been told this language would be cut on Wednesday morning, farmers and ranchers are waiting for reassurance from Congressional leaders that our land is, in fact, not for sale to the highest bidder,” Radke stated. Hansen has been even more direct, calling for the complete removal of the land grab provision and the defunding of the 45Q tax credit, which subsidizes carbon capture projects. “Anything short of killing the land grab proposal… is an absolute failure to deliver on ending the green new deal scam and a failure to defend our peoples’ constitutional rights,” he said.
The fear is that, rather than dismantling the green energy framework established under the Biden administration’s Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience (ELTRR) plan, the bill could inadvertently entrench mechanisms that facilitate land acquisitions. The ELTRR, combined with IRA funding and USDA’s Commodities Credit Corporation (CCC), has already funneled billions to NGOs and private firms for carbon sequestration infrastructure, creating a “proverbial gold rush” for corporate-backed projects. By failing to fully address these mechanisms, the “Big Beautiful Bill” risks codifying a system where rural landowners lose control over their property.
Farmers Caught in the Crosshairs
Farmers are particularly vulnerable to these developments. In states like South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska, landowners have faced eminent domain lawsuits from companies like Summit Carbon Solutions, which seeks to build pipelines to improve ethanol plants’ ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores. In 2023, over 80 South Dakota landowners reported surveyors entering their properties without permission, a chilling preview of what could become more widespread if federal authority overrides local protections.
The use of eminent domain for private projects is a particular sore point. Farmers like Jared Bossly in South Dakota have described surveyors showing up unannounced, backed by legal threats, to assess land for pipelines that many locals oppose. These actions not only undermine property rights but also leave farmers feeling betrayed by a system that seems to prioritize corporate interests over their own. “It’s going to devastate rural America—farming, water, everything. It will be a wasteland,” one X user warned, echoing the sentiment of many in affected communities.
Moreover, the economic impact on farmers is profound. Pipeline construction can render portions of farmland unusable, disrupt irrigation systems, and lower property values. For small family farms already struggling against larger agribusinesses, these projects threaten financial ruin. The irony is stark: policies framed as environmentally friendly could end up harming the very communities that steward the land and ensure America’s food security.
The “Green New Deal Scam” and Rural Distrust
The phrase “Green New Deal scam” has gained traction among rural Americans who view carbon capture projects as a corporate-driven scheme masquerading as environmentalism. The 45Q tax credit, which provides billions in subsidies for CCS, is seen as a handout to large corporations and private equity firms, with little tangible benefit for rural communities. Posts on social media have amplified this sentiment, with users decrying the bill’s provisions as a betrayal of conservative promises to protect property rights and curb green energy excesses.
This distrust is compounded by a sense that rural voices are being ignored. While GOP leadership has promised amendments to address these concerns, no updated draft has materialized as of the latest reports, leaving farmers and advocates in limbo. The tight timeline for passing the bill—aimed for Memorial Day—adds pressure, as rural communities fear their concerns will be sidelined in the rush to secure a legislative victory.
A Call for Action
As Congress debates the “Big Beautiful Bill,” rural Americans are demanding clarity and accountability. They want assurances that their land will not be sacrificed for corporate gain and that their constitutional rights will be upheld. For farmers, the fight is not just about protecting their property but preserving a way of life that feeds the nation.
To address these concerns, lawmakers must prioritize striking section 41001 and defunding the 45Q tax credit, as advocated by Hansen and others. Without these changes, the bill risks alienating the very base that propelled Trump to victory—rural voters who value their land, their autonomy, and their communities. As one X user put it, “Why the hell would I want that passed?”—a question that resonates across America’s farmlands.
In the face of these challenges, rural America is not standing idly by. Farmers, ranchers, and their allies are mobilizing, raising their voices on social media and in the halls of Congress. Their message is clear: the “Big Beautiful Bill” must protect, not plunder, the heartland. Only time will tell if their concerns will be heeded or if the specter of land grabs will cast a long shadow over rural America’s future.