In response to Wednesday’s opinion piece from the Glacial Lakes Energy’s CEO on Referred Law 21, this argument from ethanol plant leadership misses some crucial points about what’s really at stake with this law. It’s no secret that corporate backers have poured over $4 million into promoting the bill, outspending grassroots groups by an astonishing 11 to 1 margin. That disparity speaks volumes: this measure is less about the future of South Dakota agriculture and more about ensuring the wishes of these corporations outweigh the concerns of everyday residents and local governments.
The bill itself doesn’t guarantee that we’d see a carbon capture pipeline or that we wouldn’t, even if the measure is struck down. What it does do is keep local governments empowered to make decisions about the pipeline’s location, prioritizing the safety, long-term planning, and prosperity of their communities. We’ve already seen where top-down development can jeopardize both people and their land when the primary interests served are those of large corporations.
Yes, ethanol has been a transformative economic driver in South Dakota. But at what cost should we pursue growth? No economic development is worth risking community safety or ignoring local voices. This isn’t about rejecting a shift toward sustainable practices; it’s about making sure those shifts serve South Dakotans and respect their right to have a say in what happens in their communities. Let’s stand up for local control by voting “no” on RL21.
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