Agrisol Energy Llc

Publication cover thumbnail
Report
The Midwest Carbon Express
A False Solution to the Climate Crisis
The report debunks the world’s largest proposed carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline project and reveals the checkered history of the man behind it — Bruce Rastetter.
Report thumbnail
Report
Land Deal Brief: Lives on Hold
In June 2011, the Oakland Institute (OI) released details of the largest land deal in Tanzania, which had been hidden away from public scrutiny prior to that and obscured from national debate and discussion. The deal involved Iowa-based Summit Group and the Global Agriculture Fund of the Pharos Financial Group working in partnership with AgriSol Energy LLC and Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Report thumbnail
Report
Land Deal Brief: Eight Myths and Facts About AgriSol Energy in Tanzania
The June 2011 publication of the Oakland Institute’s investigation into AgriSol Energy’s land deal in Tanzania was followed by an indicting televised report from Dan Rather, the involvement of international civil society including the Sierra Club, Tanzanian activists, and a broad array of supporters from around the world. Yet, AgriSol still plans to go ahead with this large-scale agricultural project to produce agrofuel and genetically modified crops for export from Tanzania.
Report thumbnail
Report
Land Deals Brief: The Myth of Economic Development
The belief that large-scale land investment in Africa will result in much needed economic development is strongly promoted by foreign investors, government officials, and international institutions. As a result, many African governments fervently encourage foreign investment in agricultural land and offer what some have called “mouthwatering” incentives to investors. Officials trust that land deals will spur growth with incoming capital, assist with infrastructure, and create employment for local people. On their part, investors reinforce these ideas with bold promises of economic development, “modernization” and numerous jobs. AgriSol Energy Tanzania LLC, for instance, claims they will transform Tanzania into a “regional agricultural powerhouse” using genetically modified crops and other technologies to increase yields.
Publication cover thumbnail
Report
Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa: Tanzania
After decades of limited interest in agriculture in developing countries, foreign direct investment (FDI) in agriculture is on the rise. In recent years, over 4 million hectares (ha) of land have been requested by foreign investors for both agrofuel and food production in Tanzania. Though a small portion of these (70,000 ha) had actually been formally leased as of December 2010, this confirms Tanzania as a very attractive country for foreign investors seeking to grow food and agrofuels for export.
Report thumbnail
Report
Land Deal Brief: AgriSol Energy and Pharos Global Agriculture Fund’s Land Deal in Tanzania
Iowa-based Summit Group and Global Agriculture Fund of the Pharos Financial Group, in partnership with AgriSol Energy LLC and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University, are developing a large agriculture enterprise in Tanzania. The site encompasses three “abandoned refugee camps”– Lugufu in Kigoma province (25,000 ha), Katumba (80,317 ha), and Mishamo (219,800 ha), both in Rukwa province.

Press Releases & Public Statements

Carbon pipeline protest in Butler County, Iowa. Source: Anonymous
Press Release
Largest Carbon Capture and Storage Pipeline Proposed Project — A False Solution to the Climate Crisis
---FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--- April 12, 2022, 7:00 AM PT Media Contact:Anuradha Mittal, [email protected] +1 510-469-5228 Midwest Carbon Express, a US$4.5 billion carbon capture and storage pipeline planned by Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions, would stretch approximately 2,000 miles — crossing large sections of Iowa before expanding to four other Midwestern states. Advocates for the pipeline fail to reckon with the evidence pointing to carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a false climate crisis solution.
Press Release
Ethics Complaint Against AgriSol's Rastetter Dismissed: Public Scrutiny However Unravels Rastetter's Business Dealings
"Agrisol Energy initially explored developing about 800,000 acres of land in Tanzania, but company officials now say it has no plans of expanding beyond the 35,000 acres it has leased..." - Des Moines Register August 23, 2012: Today the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board voted to dismiss Iowa CCI's conflict of interest complaint against Iowa Regent Bruce Rastetter saying it wasn't "legally sufficient" for them to do an investigation.The ethics complaint was filed by the Des Moines-based citizen group, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, for misusing his membership on the Iowa Board
Press Release
Iowa CCI Statement to the Press
For Immediate Release--July 9, 2012 Contacts:Adam Mason, [email protected] Goodner, [email protected] Iowa CCI Statement to the Press in Light of New Report from Oakland Institute What the Oakland Institute's new report adds to the story is not that Bruce Rastetter's collusion with Iowa State University for an attempted land grab in Tanzania threatened thousands of refugees with forced displacement. That's been the crux of the story for the last year, despite his company's official denials.
Press Release
Press Release: Lives on Hold--AgriSol's Land Deal in Tanzania Creates an Uncertain Future for More than 160,000 People
Report embargoed until 12:00 am EDT, JULY 9, 2012Contact: Anuradha Mittal (510) 469-5228; [email protected] Lives on Hold AgriSol's Land Deal in Tanzania Creates an Uncertain Future for More than 160,000 People A new report provides details from the ground as the investor faces the Iowa Ethics Commission http://www.oaklandinstitute.org/land-deal-brief-lives-hold Oakland, CA - A new report by the Oakland Institute, Lives on Hold, exposes the consequences of Iowa-based AgriSol Energy LLC's plans to lease more than 800,000 acres in Tanzania.

News Articles

N'West Iowa REVIEW
CO2 Pipeline a 'False' Solution, Report Says
Carbon capture is a dubious solution to climate change, policy researchers say, calling into question the necessity for carbon dioxide pipelines planned to dig through Iowa farmland
Redeye Collective
Midwest Carbon Express Pipeline Runs Into Stiff Opposition In Iowa
If it is built, the Midwest Carbon Express will be the world’s largest carbon capture and storage pipeline. It’s being developed by the Iowa-based company, Summit Carbon Solutions and faces strong opposition from a broad coalition of Indigenous communities, Iowa landowners and environmental groups. Andy Currier is the author of a new report on the Midwest Carbon Express for the Oakland Institute.
Des Moines Register
Opinion: Bruce Rastetter Is No Climate Hero
The Iowan’s past makes it clear that he cannot be accused of caring for sustainability or the environment.
Des Moines Register
A sense of déjà vu with Rastetter's Iowa Ag Summit
Is the 2015 "Iowa Agriculture Summit" really a bipartisan forum to promote agriculture, or yet another scheme devised by multi-millionaire Iowan Bruce Rastetter to hijack issues impacting farmers and agriculture for his self-serving political and economic agenda?Billed as an event to stimulate public discussion on "matters that directly affect Iowa farmers who feed and fuel not just the country, but the world," several potential 2016 presidential candidates have signed up for the event.