For some pipeline opponents, there is no middle ground

Money not a substitute for property rights, say landowner rights advocates

Landowners and other carbon pipeline opponents rally in the State Capitol last year. (Charlie Poppen)

PIERRE – South Dakota legislative leadership is touting its ability to work together to find common ground on carbon capture pipelines. 

But for many seasoned pipeline opponents, there remains essentially no chance of compromising.

That’s been the sentiment expressed among hardline opponents in the grassroots and the Legislature, who say that their staunch opposition to Summit Carbon Solutions — a company that wants to build hundreds of miles of carbon capture pipelines through the eastern part of the state — is unwavering, despite a more conciliatory tone than last year from project supporters.

“When I talk to landowners, the consensus hasn’t changed,” said Rep. Jon Hansen, one of the lawmakers leading the opposition to the use of eminent domain for the carbon pipelines. “You can’t just throw money at a landowner and think that satisfies them.” 

The Dell Rapids lawmaker is referring to one of the main selling points of compromise legislation being pushed by leadership. In one week, House lawmakers passed two bills which would secure payments for landowners; one would entitle them to $500 for a survey, another entitles them to annual payments. 

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