Landowners opposed to Summit carbon dioxide pipeline visit with commission about concerns

J.T. Fey
·4 min read

Opposition to a proposed plan to pipe carbon dioxide to North Dakota made its first appearance Tuesday at the Codington County Commission meeting.

Summit Carbon Solutions is planning to send liquefied carbon dioxide via a below-ground pipeline to underground storage in North Dakota. The project has yet to receive the go-ahead from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. Some landowners, citing various concerns, are resisting Summit's attempts to obtain easements for the pipeline.

The pipeline would go through Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska. It would cover about 1,900 miles with an estimated cost of $4.5 billion. It would collect carbon dioxide from ethanol and fertilizer plants.

More:Judge combines 5th circuit cases involving Summit Carbon Solutions

Carbon dioxide is created during the refining process for corn-based ethanol. Some states have banned ethanol sales because of the levels of CO2, thus limiting the marketability of the alternative fuel. Summit and refiners are hoping the capture of carbon dioxide at the creation process will create a larger market for ethanol – and for corn farmers.

Complaints about the proposed project began after the commissioners discussed an agenda item regarding the potential hiring of Banner Engineering of Brookings as manager of the county’s eventual haul-road agreement with Summit, should the pipeline be approved.

County Highway Superintendent Rick Hartley told commissioners he wasn’t asking for a signed agreement with Banner, only alerting the firm that the county would be seeking a contract if the pipeline project begins. The commissioners discussed the motion and voted 4-1 against it.

Near the end of the meeting, during the open session, Troy Skelton and Wendy Schulz chastised the commissioners for even considering the motion since the project hasn’t been approved. They then gave a litany of reasons why the project was flawed and said Summit is using pressure tactics.

“In my opinion they, are not a public carrier. They are not a public utility and therefore should not have the right of eminent domain,” said Skelton, who added that Summit is facing multiple court cases in the states where the pipeline would be located.

Schulz said the county has no plan to rescue individuals trapped by carbon dioxide leaks. She also pointed out that the liquefied CO2 will be transmitted at 2,100 pounds per square inch and shutoff valves will be separated by 20 miles. And, she claimed, Summit is suing landowners who deny surveyors access to their property and has sued counties asking for a moratorium on the project.

The commissioners briefly questioned Schulz before Chairwoman Brenda Hanten said the meeting was not a public hearing and that county landowners will have an opportunity to speak at public hearings if the project receives PUC approval.

More:Summit lawsuits take issue with pipeline moratorium in Brown Co., fee increases in Edmunds

Landowners in a few South Dakota counties have sued Summit regarding the ability to access private land to do survey work. But Summit, citing state law, contends the work is allowed without express permission as long as 30 days notice is given to affected landowners. Last week, Summit Carbon Solutions sued Brown County after commissioners imposed a one-year moratorium on hazardous materials pipelines to take time to look at permitting regulations. Another lawsuit against Edmunds County was filed because commissioner drastically increased some permitting fees.

Concerns about eminent domain and whether the pipeline would be safe or is even needed have been raised across eastern South Dakota. Some residents have said they feel it's just a money grab to access tax credits.

In other action, the commission:

  • Authorized Hanten and Auditor Cindy Brugman to sign documents allowing the county to act as a conduit for the issuance of tax-exempt economic development bonds for the nonprofit project at The Village of Harmony Hill.

  • Approved an application for hazard mitigation grant funds on behalf of Sioux Rural Water for the purchase of a $174,000 generator for the Kranzburg plant. The payment will be reimbursed to the county by the First District of Local Governments. Travis Steffensen, general manager at Sioux Rural Water, said without the new generator, 88 residents, Waverly School and about 3,600 head of cattle would be left without water during a power outage.

  • Approved the $1,000 purchase of a used Ford Explorer formerly owned by the Disabled American Veterans of South Dakota and formerly used by the Codington County Veterans Service Office. The county welfare office will use the Explorer to transport individuals within Watertown.

  • Renewed a contract with Interlakes Community Action Program for office space. The organization will pay the county $100 per month for 10 to 15 hours of work for the county.

  • Approved an updated job description for the welfare community care coordinator position.

  • Took no action on imposing a countywide burn ban.

This article originally appeared on Aberdeen News: Residents in Codington County opposed Summit CO2 pipeline project