South Dakota rejects Summit CO2 pipeline plan

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has rejected Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan to extend the company’s pending state permit application process for a proposed CO2 pipeline that would cross Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota.

Summit Carbon Solutions had been planning to capture CO2 from the fermentation process of biorefineries, such as ethanol plants, compress the gas, and channel it to North Dakota where it would be permanently and safely stored underground in deep geologic storage locations.

Ed Fischbach, a vocal landowner opponent, Dakota Rural Action board member and South Dakota Easement Team member, said, “Today is a victory for South Dakota landowners and local control. In denying Summit’s permit application, the PUC has acknowledged that the company has run out of road to build this pipeline.”

Summit Carbon Solutions has yet to comment. It maintains there are 5,300 miles of CO2 pipelines that have been operating safely in the US for years.