WATERTOWN, S.D.(KXLG)- Summit Carbon Solutions is a company dedicated to constructing a pipeline through five states ending up in North Dakota, to capture and send carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to be “safely and permanently sequestered.”

Ben Fuller with Summit Carbon Solutions spoke with the Codington County Commissioners this week to update them on their progress but first spoke on safety.

Fuller says the most common cause of a leak is typically someone digging somewhere they were not supposed to. The pipeline will be monitored 24 hours a day.

Fuller talks about where they are with agreements.

Statewide Summit Carbon Solutions is reporting 51.8% in voluntary easements and 247.32 easement miles for the project. The construction target date is “Summer of 2023,” and they are hoping for 100% voluntary agreements. The entire pipe in the Codington County area will be eight inches in diameter.

Commissioner Troy VanDusen asked Fuller to explain the necessity of this process and pipeline.

Fuller stated they require a 50 feet setback and choose to stay at least 500 feet from a residence unless otherwise directed by the property owners. They have made over 3,000 voluntary adjustments and shifts at the landowner’s request.