Gubernatorial candidates Jamie Smith and Steven Haugaard attend pipeline rally

MELLETTE — Gubernatorial hopefuls Jamie Smith and Steven Haugaard were both present at a rally in opposition to Summit Carbon Solutions' carbon sequestration pipeline.

The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline would pump liquefied carbon dioxide from ethanol plants in five Midwestern states a mile underground in North Dakota. The $4.5 billion pipeline would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from 31 ethanol plants in those five states, with seven of those plants in South Dakota.

A permit for the pipeline is under consideration by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, but it hasn't been without concerns with a host of landowners and counties filing petitions to provide official comment on the issue.

Haugaard challenged South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem in Tuesday's Republican primary. The winner faces Smith, who is a Democrat, in November.

Also in attendance were Greg Brooks and Scott Moore, who are both Republican candidates for District 23 House of Representatives. Several county commissioners from Spink, Brown and McPherson Counties were also at the rally.

Ahead of the rally, Smith told the American News that he attended to learn more about the project and where landowners stand. But while there is always more to learn, Smith said that he supports the landowners.

"If the landowners wanted to get behind this and do something with this, I think that's their prerogative. Using eminent domain for private industry is not something that I can support," said Smith.

While Smith said he understands the need to reduce CO2 emissions, the repercussions need to be thought though.

More: Landowners voice concerns about proposed carbon pipeline at Aberdeen PUC meeting

"When you do it at the expense of landowners and for private industry, then I struggle with it," said Smith.

Haugaard told the Aberdeen American News that he is opposed to the project, and previously spoke at a Public Utilities Commission in Sioux Falls. In addition to being opposed to the project, Haugaard also said that he is interested in focusing on eminent domain reform. Eminent domain is going to affect growing cities like Sioux Falls, he said.

Haugaard emphasized that family farms need to be protected, and that residential construction is going to continue to consume South Dakota's cities.

Haugaard also mentioned the importance of following the money in regards to the project.

"There should be a lot of people that recuse themselves from votes. And there should be a lot of people that reject campaign contributions," said Haugaard.

During the rally, Haugaard spoke in front of the crowd about Dan Lederman, who currently serves as chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party. Lederman is also a prominent supporter of Summit.

More: Politics, legislative action play a part in Summit Carbon Solutions' pipeline proposal

"I think that's such an incredible conflict of interest. It's just unspeakable," said Haugaard. Lederman should not be involved in the project at all, he said.

Brian Jorde, a lawyer with Omaha-based Domina Law Group, is representing a group of more than 130 landowners in South Dakota who are opposed to the pipeline. He's also representing landowners in all five of the affected states.

Jorde called into the meeting via video chat, where he answered questions regarding everything from county moratoriums to easements.

Jorde emphasized the importance of work being done at the county level, and urged all counties to enact moratoriums. Moratoriums would essentially put everything on hold until ordinances are passed concerning carbon sequestration pipelines.

But Jorde's main message to landowners was not to sign an easement.

"There's no reason to sign it because they have no approvals from the state," said Jorde.

And even if South Dakota does not successfully fight the project, he said, one of the other four states could, which would effectively halt the project.

Jesse Harris, Summit Carbon Solutions' director of public affairs Jesse Harris said in a statement to the American News that Summit is aiming to get more voluntary easements. The company has secured more than 1,500 voluntary easements, said Harris.

"We look forward to continuing to engage landowners, answer their questions, and secure additional voluntary easements," Harris said in the statement.

Jane Kleeb, a resident of Nebraska who has been working to fight the pipeline also spoke at the rally. Kleeb is the founder and president of Bold Alliance, an organization that works to fight eminent domain and promote clean energy. Kleeb previously fought the Keystone XL pipeline.

Kleeb similarly urged people to not sign easements. The first offer is never the best offer, she said, emphasizing the importance of negotiations. In addition, there are people who have signed over portions of their property because they signed easements for the Keystone XL pipeline.

"Once you sign that easement, you're signing your land over forever," said Kleeb.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Gubernatorial candidates attend CO2 pipeline rally