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Carbon pipeline bills move through SD Legislature

The South Dakota House passed a bill on Wednesday that would make it easier for the Summit Carbon Pipeline to move forward and some state agriculture groups are responding positively.

Senate Bill 201 sets new regulations on pipeline infrastructure and allows counties to charge companies for any pipeline installed.

South Dakota Corn Growers Association Executive Director DaNita Murray tells Brownfield it’s a good bill and there are also two other bills being considered in the state legislature.

“There’s a lot of work yet to do between that version and House Bill 1185 and 1186. There are differences between those bills. Our farmer members have said they want a carbon pipeline and that’s the policy position we’re supporting.”

The Summit Carbon Solutions carbon pipeline that would capture, transport and store carbon from ethanol plants in five states, including South Dakota, in an effort to help decarbonize the ethanol industry.

The South Dakota Corn and Soybean Associations, along with the South Dakota Farm Bureau say other carbon pipeline bills, including House Bill 1186, are a good solution for landowners, because the bill requires additional compensation for the carbon pipeline.

South Dakota Soybean Association Executive Director Jerry Schmitz says the carbon pipeline has the support of the state’s soybean growers and it has been a very contentious issue in South Dakota.

“In South Dakota, there are a number of landowners who are concerned about it whether it’s eminent domain, being properly compensated or people being on their ground and how that should take place. All of those things are trying to be worked out legislatively.”

Murray says state lawmakers are expected to combine all three bills into one in a conference next week.