To the Editor:

Counties in SD that have passed CO2 pipeline ordinances protecting citizens and responsible  land use deserve a huge THANK YOU!

As the SD Public Utilities Commission aptly confirmed, this is not just another pipeline. Hazardous CO2 pipelines are very different. The Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the federal agency in charge of CO2 pipelines, has made it crystal clear that only states have the authority to regulate the location of these pipelines. In SD, that authority falls to the counties.

The two private companies that proposed to build CO2 pipelines in SD have used a combination of deliberate withholding of crucial information, misinformation and active intimidation, including lawsuits, to shut down attempts at establishing ordinances. The five counties that have passed ordinances have shown courage and a genuine vision for a long range responsible future.

Recently, the SD PUC has unanimously denied permits for both CO2 companies. Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) has announced its intention to reapply. SCS representatives are currently making the rounds and meeting with SD counties. They say that they will follow the PUC recommendation and work with counties.

At the same time, SCS continues to push for no or weak, watered down ordinances. They have yet to release their rupture modeling. It appears not much has really changed. Past behavior is an excellent predictor of the future.

As a landowner who has experienced and fought the bullying of pipeline companies, the view of the bull looks different from inside the ring! Counties that have not yet passed CO2 pipeline ordinances need to do their job, protect their citizens and pass meaningful ordinances.

We must put South Dakotans First. The safety of our residents must remain our paramount concern, and this project simply is not worth the potential threats it poses to our communities.

Orrin Geide
Hartford