Summit Carbon Solutions Asks South Dakota PUC to “Suspend” CO2 Pipeline Permit Application After State Law Bans Eminent Domain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2025

Summit Carbon Solutions Asks South Dakota PUC to “Suspend” CO2 Pipeline Permit Application After State Law Bans Eminent Domain

Pierre – Summit Carbon Solutions, a corporation proposing a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline to transport waste CO2 from ethanol plants and bury it in an underground waste dump, on Wednesday filed a motion asking the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (SD PUC) to “suspend” its pending pipeline permit application with the agency indefinitely.

The shocking move from Summit comes days after South Dakota enacted a ban on the use of eminent domain to seize land for carbon pipeline projects, such as Summit’s, and calls even further into question the ultimate viability of the risky multi-billion dollar project.

“Today, Summit requested the South Dakota PUC suspend the scheduling order and indefinitely extend all deadlines. This is wise given Summit’s proposed route does not respect County rules, regulations, and ordinances, is not supported by even a simple majority of directly affected landowners, and therefore, cannot be constructed. If Summit can find a path through South Dakota, they are free to do so, but the current application should be returned and dismissed, to let the landowners who have been tormented for nearly four years get back to their lives,” said attorney Brian Jorde of Domina Law Group, who has represented South Dakota landowners with the South Dakota Easement Team at state-based regulatory agency proceedings, as well as against eminent domain threats from pipeline companies.

“This request for extension is a clear sign that Summit knows they have lost the trust of South Dakota, and will be unable to proceed on their original timeline without being able to force surveys on unwilling landowners. As our new Governor said so well, that trust is hard to earn back again once it is lost,” said Chase Jensen, Senior Organizer with Dakota Rural Action.

Emma Schmit, Bold Alliance’s Pipeline Fighters Director, stated, “Summit’s request for an indefinite extension of the permitting process is yet another victory for the thousands of people opposed to risky carbon pipeline schemes. In spite of years of aggressive lobbying and empty promises, it’s clear carbon pipeline companies cannot simply bowl over the landowners and communities impacted by unwanted carbon capture projects. This victory is a direct result of relentless public opposition and the tireless dedication South Dakotans have for defending their rights, their families, and their way of life.”

About South Dakota Easement Team:
The South Dakota Easement Team landowners’ legal co-op works to educate landowners and to support organizing those who are opposed to eminent domain for private gain, and works with attorneys to file landowner legal challenges to proposed pipeline projects, and lawsuits and appeals including constitutional challenges and condemnation litigation. (https://sdeasement.org)

About Bold Alliance:
The Bold Alliance is a network of “small and mighty” groups in rural states working to protect land and water. We fight fossil fuel projects, protect landowners against eminent domain abuse, and work for clean energy solutions while building an engaged base of citizens who care about the land, water, and climate change. (https://boldalliance.org)

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