Supporters say bills protect farmers; opponents say they protect company
Years of debate about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline came to a head Wednesday at the state Capitol as lawmakers passed three bills intended to strengthen landowner protections while maintaining a regulatory path forward for the project.
The bills passed the state House of Representatives and Senate and now head to the governor’s desk for final consideration.
Governor Kristi Noem issued a statement saying she plans to sign the bills to “provide new protections for landowners and allow for economic growth to move forward through a transparent process.”
Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids, who voted against all three bills, said lawmakers should do more to protect landowners. He pointed to Democratic-dominated Minnesota, where he said carbon sequestration pipelines can’t use eminent domain to access land.