PIERRE, SD – Kristin Edwards, the lead staff attorney for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission formally requested Friday that the commission deny the application from SCS Carbon Solutions for a state permit for a proposed carbon-dioxide pipeline. Her point being that the project no longer could meet all applicable laws and rules. Her request came one day after Summit withdrew its request that the commission pre-empt pipeline ordinances in several counties.
The attorney argues that Summit’s proposed route violates county ordinances in Brown, McPherson, Minnehaha, and Spink counties. If Summit does not obtain waivers or conditional use permits in those counties in order to bring the route into compliance, a permit cannot be granted.”
The hearing on the Summit permit application is scheduled to start today in Fort Pierre.
Remember that the PUC unanimously rejected the permit application from Navigator for a CO2 pipeline just last Wednesday. At that same time they also refused Navigator’s request that the state commission pre-empt pipeline ordinances passed by Minnehaha and Moody counties.
Later Friday, Brett Koenecke, the attorney representing Summit, filed a response asking the commission to proceed with the hearing.
Attorney Brian Jorde, representing landowners who don’t want to give SCS access, filed in support of denial.
