Voters, the PUC and the state Supreme Court have spoken: South Dakota rejects Summit pipeline proposal
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission held public meetings in January on the carbon dioxide pipeline and the issue of the use of eminent domain by Summit Carbon Solutions.
Summit, based in Ames, Iowa, proposes to invest $9 billion to construct a 2,500-mile pipeline to capture carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol plants (like the one above, a public domain image posted on wikimedia commons) in five states. It would be piped to North Dakota for underground storage.
In reviewing the issue, I feel confident in saying the South Dakota PUC was 100 percent validated for their denial of a permit for this pipeline project in 2023. The South Dakota Supreme Court validated their decision as well as the voters, who did so twice at the ballot box.
In the 2024 South Dakota primary elections, voters defeated all but one legislative incumbent who were in support of the pipeline and SB 201. The voters also soundly defeated the SB 201 Referral in all but Union County, the home of Dakota Dunes.
The South Dakota Supreme Court also weighed in and ruled on four issues:
The court ruled that the pipeline company could not prove they are common carriers.
The court also ruled that the pipeline company did not follow the law by withholding information from landowners.
The Court ruled that the pipeline company was not following the county ordinances. We continue to receive reports that the company continues to harass landowners with threats of eminent domain to acquire right of way easements.
The court ruled that the company could no longer conduct surveys without landowner permission.
By the pipeline company’s own admission, the project is not feasible without a huge taxpayer subsidy. Many South Dakotans see this project as a huge threat to the environment, human life and the public’s health and safety!
The PUC has already ruled that the CO2 pipeline company did not comply with county ordinances. If they do not comply, then the PUC must deny once again!
If you wish to comment on the PUC docket concerning this issue go to the PUC website docket HP24-001 or send a written letter to: South Dakota PUC, 500 East Capitol, Pierre, South Dakota 57501.
Frank Kloucek of Scotland, S.D., was a Democratic state senator for 16 years and a state representative for six years who prided himself on helping people. A 1974 Scotland High School graduate and 1978 SDSU graduate, he and his wife Joanie farm in Bon Homme County. They have four children and nine grandchildren. He can be contacted at fkloucek@hotmail.com, 605-660-0254 or 605-583-4468.
