North Dakota rejects Summit Carbon Solutions permit
Pipeline project could be in jeopardy
South Dakota’s neighbors to the north have rejected a permit for the carbon pipeline that Summit Carbon Solution is planning through portions of both Dakotas.
According to Ag Week, the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) Friday morning denied a route permit for the portion of the carbon capture pipeline project that runs through “The Peace Garden State.”
The PSC — North Dakota’s version of the Public Utilities Commission — ruled that Summit didn’t consider alternative routes for some landowners, didn’t do enough to mitigate wildlife disruption along the route and “did not adequately address impacts on cultural resources.”
South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission is set to hold public hearings on Summit’s application in September.
In a statement sent to The Dakota Scout, Summit spokesperson Sabrina Ahmed Zenor said the company will reapply for its North Dakota permit and work to incorporate changes that appease the PSC.
“We're committed to understanding and incorporating the considerations outlined in the decision,” she said. “We are confident that our project supports state policies designed to boost key economic sectors: agriculture, ethanol, and energy.”
Summit is one of two companies planning carbon sequestration pipelines through South Dakota. Navigator also plans to capture carbon from ethanol plants along its planned route that is transferred by underground pipeline before being buried under rock in Illinois. Summit intends to bury its carbon in North Dakota.
North Dakota’s denial has no bearing on the Navigator project, said Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, vice president of government and public affairs for Navigator.
“Each permit proceeding is unique to each proposed project, and we do not believe this ruling is indicative of all carbon capture utilization and storage proceedings currently under review,” she said. “We are confident our project will successfully meet all requirements and obligations set forth by the jurisdictions we are working with.”
We’re continuing to Scout this story so check back for updates.
Ag Week story: Public Service Commission outlined several areas where Summit’s permit application was deficient.
Summit's website shows no mention of this in either their Press Release or In The News links.. I can only imagine the vitriol and BP measurements at their board meeting!
According to a Fargo's newspaper article, North Dakota's PSC chair left the door open for SCS to 'come back with an appeal or reapply'.
The last sentence in the story noted that Summit would have to apply for a permi.....t FOR THE UNDERGROUND FACILITY!!!!
WHAT????? SCS's website states where this CO2 is going to be stored....BUT HAS NOT APPLIED FOR A PERMIT TO STORE IT???
With the pipeline now being stopped at the ND/SD stateline like the Great Chinese Wall, what is the NEED for a "Pipeline to Nowhere" to traverse through South Dakota?
This should make it really easy for South Dakota's PUC to reject SCS's permit.
It is significant that the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) said NO to Summit Carbon Solutions. A strong & positive result for Protecting Property Rights! The debate continues...more and more constituents and legislators support landowners!