A new law in South Dakota banning the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines has raised questions about the future of Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed 2,500-mile project. Despite the setback, the company remains committed to the pipeline, which aims to carry greenhouse gas emissions from ethanol plants in five Midwest states to be stored underground in North Dakota. While Summit has secured easements in Iowa and North Dakota, the South Dakota law presents a roadblock for the project.
Summit is considering all options, including legal action, to move forward with the pipeline. The current proposed route through South Dakota may need to be rerouted through Minnesota to bypass opposition from landowners. The project is seen as crucial for the ethanol industry, which is looking to expand into new markets like passenger jet fuel.
Since the pipeline’s proposal four years ago, Summit has faced challenges, including lawsuits and regulatory opposition. Despite the changing political landscape regarding climate change, with the Biden administration supporting carbon capture efforts and the Trump administration prioritizing fossil fuel industries, the future of the pipeline remains uncertain.
South Dakota’s new law is seen as a setback for Summit but not necessarily a death knell for the project. The company may need to adjust its route or negotiations with landowners to proceed, demonstrating the complex challenges associated with large-scale infrastructure projects in a rapidly changing political and environmental landscape.
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