On Thursday, landowners from both South Dakota and out of state gathered in Pierre at the state Capitol to participate in a significant rally against carbon dioxide pipelines.
The impressive display of support followed the urging of several state legislators, around twelve of whom were present at the event, for Governor Kristi Noem to hold a special legislative session to address concerns regarding eminent domain, CO2 pipelines, and property rights.
Inside the Capitol rotunda, the sentiment against the pipelines was reinforced as hundreds of farmers, ranchers, and landowners filled the stairs and lined the balconies behind the main speakers at the rally.
In a further demonstration of their stance, the organizers of the rally announced their intent to submit over 2,000 signed petitions to Governor Noem’s office, requesting her to call for a special session.
Summit Carbon Solutions has faced substantial criticism from South Dakota landowners who opposed the pipelines. Their proposed Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, estimated at a cost of $4.5 billion, would cover approximately 477 miles of land in the state if it were to be constructed.
While Summit Carbon has not yet utilized eminent domain to acquire land, they initiated the initial step in the process by filing more than 80 lawsuits against landowners in April. Additionally, the company conducted surveys on land owned by these individuals following a court order issued by a Fifth Circuit judge.