Referred Law 21 backers tout carbon pipeline as economy, quality of life booster

Ag, ethanol leaders make late push to keep Senate Bill 201 on the books

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the organization responsible for referring Senate Bill 201 to the ballot. The Dakota Scout regrets the error.

South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry President David Owen moderates a panel discussion with Michael Bockorny, Joni Ekstrum, Jim Seurer and Kent Hartwig. (Joe Sneve / The Dakota Scout)

South Dakota’s record of compromise, innovation, and economic success is on the ballot next month.

That’s the message proponents of Referred Law 21 shared during a campaign event Monday in support of the pending ballot measure, which could decide the fate of a multi-billion-dollar carbon capture sequestration project slated to run through the state.

“In the eyes of a county commissioner, this is an opportunity that is greatly needed, and from the eyes of a farmer, this is huge,” said Doug Kazmerzak, a Kingsbury County landowner and former county commissioner who participated in a series of panel discussions hosted by the South Dakota Ag Alliance, Protect South Dakota's Ag Future, South Dakota Ethanol, the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Vote Yes For A Strong South Dakota in downtown Sioux Falls.

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