'Hail Mary' attempt to deny Summit permit falls short
'Hail Mary' attempt to deny Summit permit falls short
Decision sets stage for Public Utilities Commission hearings next month.
PIERRE – An effort to deny Summit Carbon Solutions an application to build a CO2 pipeline ahead of highly anticipated hearings next month has been blocked by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
Attorney Brian Jorde, representing landowners in their fighting against both the Navigator CO2 and Summit pipelines, appealed to the PUC during a routine meeting Tuesday, arguing that a a decision in North Dakota to block the SCS pipeline should compel the PUC to return the permit application before a series permit hearings next month.
“There has to be a terminus and a path into North Dakota,” Jordre argued. “Summit currently doesn’t have a path. In fact, they don’t even have an application on file because it was rejected.”
According to Pierre radio station KCCR, Summit attorney and lobbyist Brett Koenecke said that there had been “no material change” in Summit’s approach to the project since North Dakota’s Public Service Commission issued its rejection.
“This smacks as some sort of a Hail Mary attempt to derail the proceedings here in this state,” Koenecke told the commission, noting the company had refiled its application in North Dakota.
Summit’s permit application in South Dakota will be weighed by the commission over a multi-week period staring in September. Those proceedings will follow a decision by the PUC on Navigator CO2’s requested permit, slated to be handed down on Sept. 6.
Josh Haeder, the state’s Treasurer, will sit in on the Summit hearings in place of PUC Commissioner Kristie Fiegen, who has recused herself from the proceedings due to a conflict.
“I think at this point in time, with the evidentiary hearings coming up in a few weeks, I think we should just go ahead and finish the game,” Haeder said while moving to deny Jordre’s motion.
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I hope the PUC of South Dakota will rescind the agreement on the pipeline that does nothing for South Dakota. It is a corporation or corporations that will be given millions of taxpayers dollars to build the pipeline, as being a big help to stop global warming. A bad idea for farmers and landowners that will make their land open season for all who have a new idea.
Google CO2 pipeline dangers. Who will be responsible.