Minnehaha County Commission can't agree on setback distances for carbon pipelines

Tie vote pushes the issue to June 6 meeting

Minnehaha County Planning Director Scott Anderson presents an ordinance to regulate hazardous material pipelines on May 23, 2023. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

The Minnehaha County Commission deadlocked Tuesday on a proposal to require pipelines carrying hazardous materials be at least 750 feet away from dwellings, churches or businesses.

The 2-2 tie vote delays a decision on how to regulate carbon dioxide pipelines in South Dakota’s largest county until a June 6 meeting, when all five commissioners will be present.

The vote capped a three-hour meeting over the county’s plans to make hazardous material pipelines a permitted special use, a designation that would allow the pipelines as long as they complied with defined criteria. The new regulations come as two companies are seeking permits with the state to build carbon dioxide pipelines, both of which would traverse Minnehaha County.

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