The public is offering a big “no” to the $9 billion pipeline to capture CO2 from 57 ethanol plants in five states – Watt with it?

From energy security and freedom

Guest post by Makenzie Huber of South Dakota Searchlights via ESG University.

Hundreds, many of whom oppose the CO2 pipeline, held the Southeast Technical College auditorium at a hearing for the state utility committee Wednesday night, introducing Summit Carbon Solutions' second attempt to obtain a permit for the project.

“We know this is a very important issue for you,” said Commissioner Gary Hanson at the start of the three-hour meeting. “We are here to learn and listen today and we thank everyone you are with us today for giving us your input.”

The Iowa-based company plans to use a 2,500-mile, $9 billion pipeline to capture carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol plants in five states, including eastern South Dakota, and ship it to North Dakota for use in the state of North Dakota for use Underground storage. The project will use federal tax credits to incentivize prevention of calorie carbon emissions.

The Commission rejected Summit’s first license application in 2023, partly due to the conflict between the pipeline route and local regulations that require a minimum distance between the pipeline and existing functions.

The project has a storage license in North Dakota and route licenses in North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, while Nebraska does not have a state carbon pipeline permitting program. The project also faces lawsuits from opponents in several states.

The Sioux Falls conference focused on residents of Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner and Union County. Earlier in the day, the committee held a meeting in Mitchell.

Most attendees on Wednesday opposed the pipeline – after opponents spoke, applause was expressed through applause. Opponents who made the main speech reiterated concerns about the impact of safety and on the impact of the pipeline program on farmland, which were raised during the company’s initial attempt to obtain a permit.

Opponents also objected to efforts to designate the pipeline as a universal carrier, which would allow the use of outstanding areas to push the project through. The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled last year that the pipeline has not proved that private land should be allowed for public use. The High Court returns the case to the lower court, and the company is trying to prove its case.

Meanwhile, some state legislators have proposed legislation to ban carbon pipelines from the use of well-known areas.

Betty Strom's property will be crossed by a pipe, which he said will be “an eternal danger on my land.”

“The summit is for tax credits. They don't care about property rights, security, loss to property, its value or long-term consequences,” Strom said. “Please deny this license again.”

Summit's representative explained why the route was chosen and reviewed the safety regulations and standards of the pipeline.

Summit said in his handout that the project will include $1.9 billion in South Dakota capital expenditure, adding 3,000 construction jobs to build pipelines, supporting 260 jobs each year.

Project supporters say it will provide economic opportunities for South Dakota if implemented.

Iowa Farmer, Al Giese, a board member of the Iowa Renewable Fuel Association, owner of the Feed and Trucking Company that operates in South Dakota, told the committee, “local and nationally The carbon sequestration train inside has left the station.”

“Yes, this is a South Dakota problem. It's a Midwest issue. But we have to move forward with segregated carbon, which is not only aimed at the vitality of the AG sector, but also for all economies in the Midwest states. ,” Giese said. “There is no other way to solve it.”

The next public hearing will be held in Dmitr and Watertown on Thursday and in Aberdeen and Redfield on Friday.

Makenzie Huber is a lifelong South Dakota who regularly reports on the intersection of politics and policy and health, education, social services and indigenous affairs. Her collaboration with South Dakota Searchlight earned her the title of Outstanding Young Journalist in South Dakota in 2024, and she was a finalist for the 2024 Livingston Awards Ceremony.

South Dakota's searchlight is part of the national newsroom of the largest national-centered nonprofit news organization in the United States.

ESG University republishes its articles, features and stories online and prints under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

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