Summit Carbon Solutions seeks more time for carbon capture permitting in South Dakota

In South Dakota, the company Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed modifications to its route for a significant carbon capture pipeline project amid recent legislative changes. This $8.9 billion initiative aims to transport carbon emissions from several Midwest ethanol plants to be permanently stored underground in North Dakota. The project is crucial for the ethanol industry, which relies heavily on the land of local farmers. After South Dakota lawmakers enacted a ban on using eminent domain for carbon capture projects, Summit decided to seek an extension for its permit application. This new approach is intended to facilitate voluntary agreements with landowners, which are essential following the legislative changes that removed the government’s ability to seize private property for the project. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is expected to address Summit's request for an extension during a meeting today. In the filing, Summit emphasized that pursuing legal action against the state would hinder their ability to engage in good-faith negotiations with affected landowners. Instead, they aim to focus on presenting new offers and minimizing the route to avoid locations facing significant opposition. With preexisting approvals secured in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota, this pipeline is seen as a vital step toward reducing the carbon footprint of the ethanol sector, which accounts for nearly 40% of the country’s corn usage. The company's investment to date, exceeding $150 million in South Dakota alone, reflects the project's importance to broader sustainability efforts within the region.