In a surprising turn of events, the ambitious Heartland Greenway project, a 1,300-mile carbon capture pipeline aiming to transport emissions from over 20 industrial plants across several Midwest states, has been scrapped. Navigator CO2 Ventures, the driving force behind the project, has called it quits. This unexpected twist has left many in awe and landowners who would have been impacted, walking with a spring in their step.

Navigator CEO Matt Vining, in a statement released on a Friday morning, cited responsible stewardship and the well-being of all involved in the decision to cancel the project. He expressed disappointment at not being able to provide services to their customers, thanking them and acknowledging the support from citizens, lawmakers, and organizations.

However, what sets this story apart is the grassroots victory of landowners who had fervently opposed the pipeline. As Kathy Stockdale, one such homeowner, rejoices, “I was like, wow, is this really happening?” She credits the ultimate pullout to the collective decision by homeowners to reject signing easements for the project, offering a valuable lesson in fighting such pipelines.

This particular pipeline was one of three proposed in Iowa, and similar ventures were on the drawing board in neighboring Midwest states. The allure of these pipelines stems from federal tax incentives and the potential to make ethanol, a fuel additive, more marketable by capturing the carbon dioxide generated during its production, a critical move for states with stringent air quality standards. While Navigator’s decision may leave some disappointed, it’s undoubtedly a captivating twist in the ongoing saga of carbon capture in the Midwest.