ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Monday, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission ruled in favor of the staff’s request to deny Summit Carbon Solutions their CO2 pipeline.  Landowners Ed Fischbach of Mellette & Mark Lapka of Leola reacted to the ruling.

Fischbach was pleased with the ruling by the PUC.

Lapka echoes those sentiments.

Lapka comments on the setbacks that the PUC allowed the counties to keep in place.

Fischbach mentions that this could go beyond the counties that have setbacks in place already.

Lapka comments on whether lawsuits against the counties and landowners in court should be dismissed for now.

Lapka talks about GEVO that if Summit decide to resubmit the permits to the PUC

Among the group that have supported the landowners include the South Dakota Freedom Caucus, South Dakota Farmers Union, and Dakota Rural Action.  One group that has remained neutral is the South Dakota Farm Bureau.  Fischbach explains this is an opportunity for the Bureau to make a stand heading into 2024.

Fischbach looks ahead to what the SD Legislature can address involving ways to improve landowners’ rights

One piece of legislation that could be address is the issue of state government becoming more involved with what’s happening with the counties.  Lapka believes this will not bode well for county governments.

One person who hasn’t commented on the rulings is Governor Kristi Noem.  Both landowners would like to see a statement released by the Governor discussing these rulings.

Both landowners still would like to see a special session to address the issue of eminent domain & property rights.