PIERRE, S.D.(KELO)- Governor Kristi Noem wasted no time in signing three major pipeline bills into law.
Together, supporters call the measures the “Landowner Bill of Rights” in dealing with Carbon Capture pipelines.
Opponents, like landowner Joy Hohn of Hartford, say the package missed the mark.
Several major farm groups came out in support of the new laws as legislators addressed their concerns by making amendments along the way.
State Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says his group was initially opposed to the new laws, but that changed with amendments that softened provisions to transfer siting and safety regulations from local governments to the state Public Utilities Commission.
That’ proven true in the Carbon Capture pipeline debate.
State Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says it’s been challenging.
The Farm Bureau initially opposed the pipeline package due to concerns over local control, but ended up supporting it when those concerns were addressed by legislative amendments.
Governor Noem signed the bills right after they were passed Wednesday.
Now, the permitting process begins all over again.