PIERRE, S.D.(Press Releases)- On Wednesday, the South Dakota legislature passed three pipeline-related bills(SB201, HB1185 & HB1186).
Here’s are some reactions to the bills being passed Wednesday.
Governor Kristi Noem:
“I stand with South Dakota landowners and always will,” saidGovernor Kristi Noem. “I am looking forward to signing a Landowner Bill of Rights that will provide new protections for landowners and allow for economic growth to move forward through a transparent process.”
South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association:
“Thank you to Leader Crabtree and Leader Mortenson for their steadfast determination to make sure this was a good deal for landowners and for businesses looking to create long-lasting economic development in this state. 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. It’s a win-win for all South Dakotans.”
Leveraging carbon capture in South Dakota to further decarbonize ethanol provides new market opportunities and adds value to every bushel of corn and every acre of land.
Summit Carbon Solutions:
Summit Carbon Solutions is thankful for the passage of a series of bills, “the Landowner Bill of Rights,” that will provide significant landowner protections while ensuring regulatory certainty and promoting the future of the ethanol industry in South Dakota.
“Thank you, South Dakota legislators, particularly Leaders Crabtree and Mortenson, for their work on this landmark legislation, which is a win-win scenario for all involved,” said Lee Blank, CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions. “We appreciate the attention and engagement from so many South Dakotans, especially our partners and agricultural leaders. We look forward to doing our part to create and maintain successful relationships going forward. As South Dakota Ethanol Producers said, this legislation is unequivocally pro-landowner, pro-business, pro-farmer, and pro-ethanol. 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.”
South Dakota Corn Growers Association (SDCGA):
SDCGA President Dave Ellens stated, “We are pleased that the carbon pipeline project can now continue to move forward, helping to create demand for corn grind in this state, a core mission of our organization. Throughout the legislative process, SDCGA continuously prioritized sending a portion of the estimated $7.2 billion federal tax credit made available by the Inflation Reduction Act for this project back to the landowners affected by the pipeline crossing their property. Frankly, we fought until the end to help ensure that somehow it happened. Our policy recognizes the importance of treating landowners with respect and we did everything possible to show that those words were given meaning.”
A $.50 per linear foot annual property tax credit will go to affected landowners. The county tax credit is tied to a claim of the federal tax credit in 45Q by a pipeline company.
South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB):
“Our goal has been for South Dakota producers to have market access to value-added opportunities while protecting property rights on both sides of this issue,” said Scott VanderWal, SDFB president. “We also fought to ensure that affected landowners would be treated fairly and share in profits. Both affected property owners and counties will have an annual amount to apply toward property tax relief or county general funds.
“Farm Bureau also has policy that respects local zoning and the final bill ensures a process-based opportunity for county planning and zoning to be considered during the PUC permitting process,” said VanderWal. “That was a key factor in our ability to support this legislation.”
South Dakota Soybean Association (SDSA):
“South Dakotans have always been innovative in developing opportunities for future generations. Ethanol production and soy crush plants are perfect examples of investing in the future. This is the next step to the future. SDSA is engaged to ensure that the best interest of property owners and communities is met,” said Kevin Deinert, President of the South Dakota Soybean Association.