The South Dakota Legislature this week gave a win to the proposed carbon pipeline projects in the state, passing a package of legislation that provides landowner protections and property tax relief to those affected, as well as preserves local zoning. The South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB), South Dakota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Soybean Association, and South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association all gave their blessing to the nation’s first Landowner Bill of Rights.

“We applaud the South Dakota legislators who supported farmers, landowners, and ethanol with this compromise,” said Walt Wendland, SD Ethanol Producers Association Board President. “This legislation is pro-landowner, pro-business, pro-farmer, and pro-ethanol.”

Governor Kristi Noem has said she will sign the bill which will allow Summit Carbon Solutions to move forward with its multi-state carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) pipeline project.

Summit Carbon CEO Lee Blank called it a win-win scenario for all involved. “We appreciate the attention and engagement from so many South Dakotans, especially our partners and agricultural leaders,” said Blank. “We are excited to have a path forward that establishes best practices we are committed to following in South Dakota and across our entire project.”

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw was pleased that both sides came together in South Dakota to find a path forward for carbon capture and sequestration projects. “It is our view that with a workable path forward in South Dakota and the regulatory process well on its way in Iowa and North Dakota, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) cuts Iowa ethanol’s carbon score by more than half,” said Shaw.