SIOUX FALLS Hundreds of people, many of them opponents of a carbon dioxide pipeline, filled the Southeast Technical College auditorium Wednesday evening for a state Public Utilities Commission hearing regarding a second attempt by Summit Carbon Solutions to gain a permit for the project.
We know this is an incredibly important issue to you, said Commissioner Gary Hanson at the start of the three-hour meeting. We are here today to learn and listen, and we appreciate each of you being with us today to give us your input.
The Iowa-based company plans a 2,500-mile,$9 billionpipeline to capture carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol plants across five states, including eastern South Dakota, and transport it to North Dakota forunderground storage. The project would capitalize onfederal tax creditsincentivizing the prevention of heat-trapping carbon emissions.
The commissionrejectedSummits first permit application in 2023, in part due to the pipeline routes conflicts with local ordinances mandating minimum distances between pipelines and existing features.
The project has a storage permit in North Dakota and route permits in North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, while Nebraska has no state permitting process for carbon pipelines. The project also faces litigation from opponents in multiple states.
The Sioux Falls meeting focused on residents in Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and Union counties. The commission heldanother meeting in Mitchellearlier in the day.
Most of Wednesdays attendees opposed the pipeline evident by applause often filling the room after opponents spoke. The opponents who spoke primarily reiterated concerns about safety and impacts to farmland affected by the pipelines planned route, which were raised during the companys initial attempt at a permit.
Opponents also spoke against efforts to designate the pipeline as a common carrier, which would allow the use of eminent domain to push the project through. TheSouth Dakota Supreme Courtruled last year that the pipeline has not yet proven it should be allowed to take private land for public use. The high court sent the case back to a lower court, where the company is trying to prove its case.
Meanwhile, some state lawmakers have proposedlegislation to ban carbon pipelinesfrom using eminent domain.
Betty Strom, whose property would be crossed by the pipeline, said it would be a forever hazard across my land.
Summit is in it for the tax credits. They dont care about property rights, safety, the damage to property, its value or the long-term consequences, Strom said. Please deny this permit again.
Representatives from Summit explained why the route was selected and reviewed safety regulations and standards for the pipeline.
In a handout, Summit said the project would include $1.9 billion in capital expenditures in South Dakota, add 3,000 construction jobs while the pipeline is being built and support 260 jobs annually.
Project supporters said it would provide economic opportunities to South Dakota if implemented.
Al Giese, an Iowa farmer, board member for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and owner of a feed and trucking company doing business in South Dakota, told the commission that the carbon sequestration train, locally and nationally, has left the station.
Yes, it is a South Dakota issue. It is a Midwestern issue. But we must move forward with sequestering carbon not only for the vitality of the ag sector but for all the economies in the Midwestern states, Giese said. Theres no other way to go about it.
The nextpublic hearingswill be in De Smet and Watertown on Thursday, and in Aberdeen and Redfield on Friday.
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