The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously rejected Navigator C-O-2 Venture’s application to build a carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota.
Navigator is one of three companies with plans to build carbon pipelines in the Midwest, including sections in Floyd, Butler, Bremer, Fayette, Buchanan, and Franklin counties. South Dakota regulators held public hearings on the company’s route through their state in late July and early August, then unanimously voted this week to reject Navigator’s application for a construction permit. The head of South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission cited concerns about Navigator’s notices to property owners along the proposed pipeline route.
Navigator had objected to county ordinances restricting how close the pipeline could be built near homes, schools and other structures, but South Dakota utility regulators have also refused to override those county regulations. Navigator says they will evaluate the written decision from South Dakota regulators before deciding what to do next.
In early August, regulators in North Dakota rejected Summit Carbon Solution’s construction permit. The company has since altered its route in North Dakota in response to concerns about its proximity to Bismarck, in hopes that North Dakota’s Public Service Commission will reconsider the application. The permit hearing for Summit’s route in South Dakota is scheduled to begin Monday.
Meanwhile, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) hearing about the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline continued this week in Fort Dodge with testimony from witnesses who support the project. Landowners who oppose Summit’s pipeline testified over the first past two weeks of the proceedings.
The IUB has scheduled hearings to continue next week on Tuesday (09.12), Wednesday (09.13) and Thursday (09.14)Â
