South Dakota Citizens Score Grassroots Victory, Ban Land Grabs for Carbon Pipelines
HB 1052 bans eminent domain for carbon pipelines. AMANDA RADKE: “At long last, the citizens of South Dakota can breathe easy knowing they truly do control the land beneath their feet."
On Thursday, South Dakota governor Larry Rhoden signed a bill to protect property rights in the state by outlawing the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines.
Fifth-generation South Dakota rancher, writer, and grassroots leader Amanda Radke says the move is an answer to prayer.
“At long last, the citizens of South Dakota can breathe easy knowing they truly do control the land beneath their feet,” Radke says. “Now in South Dakota, if you want to participate in a Green New Deal grift that buries carbon in the ground, then you are free to sign an easement. However, if you have other plans for your business, your land, and your back yard, South Dakotans can finally say, ‘No thank you,’ and that’s a full sentence.”
This comes after South Dakotan citizens fought a grueling grassroots battle to force a vote on SB201 after Governor Kristi Noem signed the controversial carbon pipeline eminent domain legislation into law last March.
“Here is my open message to Summit Carbon or anyone else who wants to try to come abuse our fellow South Dakotans,” wrote South Dakota House Speaker Jon Hansen in a message on X. “Your green new deal boondoggle; your lawsuits; your threats; and your intimidation against our people, our counties, and our grassroots commissioners ARE NOT WELCOME HERE.”
The future of Summit Carbon Solutions’ controversial $9 billion, multi-state carbon pipeline project is now uncertain.
“It’s very unfortunate that, despite our approvals in Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota, South Dakota changed the rules in the middle of the game,” Sabrina Zabor of Summit said in a public statement. “While this presents obstacles, our project moves forward in states that support investment and innovation, and we will have more news on that soon.”
This morning, Summit filed to pause the permit application process in South Dakota.
“With the passage of HB 1052, the Applicant’s ability to obtain survey permission has changed,” Summit attorney Brett Koenecke wrote in the motion. “The surveys which are necessarily required to inform the route decisions as to right of way will be significantly delayed.”
After months battling corporate and political interests in the state, Radke says HB201 proves that South Dakota is “open for business, but we are not for sale.”
“It’s a bill for the people by the people, and our legislature delivered on its promise to the people to safeguard our God-given, Constitutionally-protected private property rights,” she says. “Countless prayers have been answered. Freedom wins in South Dakota. Under God the people rule, and I am thankful to every citizen who worked tirelessly to keep it that way.”