ABERDEEN, S.D.(HubCityRadio)- On Thursday, the South Dakota Senate Commerce & Energy Committee heard testimony on SB201.  the bill would provide new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities, to allow counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies, and to declare an emergency.

The bill’s main sponsor is Senate Majority Leader Casey Crabtree.

Crabtree was looking to make compromise between the landowners in favor & oppose to the CO2 pipeline.

Matt McCully with the South Dakota Ethanol Producers Association talks about the need for the aviation industry.

GEVO’s director Kent Hartweg discuss how counties putting in setback will have an impact on his industry.

Brett Koenecke, lobbyist for Summit Carbon Solutions, was reluctant supporter of the bill due to an amendment added that morning dealing with the cost to pay landowners not signed up for it at this time.

Koenecke express why it’s important for the state to be allow to override ordinances dealing with setbacks for these pipelines.

A number of people spoke opposing this project.  One of them was Mitchell rancher & columnist Amanda Radke who told the committee that landowners have more to lose than is to gain with the pipelines.

Brown County Commissioner Drew Dennert spoke about the ordinance Brown County has in place.  The ordinance was designed to protect economic investment going forward on U.S. Hwys 12 & 281.

Dennert explains to the committee that Brown County has had their ordianance in place since February 2022.

Hand County Commissioner Jim Eschenbaum talks about the importance of local control.

Spink County landowner Ed Fischbach remind the committee that the SD PUC has the right to override local control if it violates the law.

McPherson County landowner Mark Lapka express concern about this bill will impact landowner’s freedom.

The bill’s sponsor Senator Crabtree was allowed to rebute claims made by those opposing the bill.

The committee passed the bill on a 7-2 vote.  The bill moves on to the South Dakota Senate where it will need a 2/3 majority(24 votes) to pass because of the emergency clause.