Following a two-week delay, the Minnehaha County Commission has passed an ordinance amendment aimed at establishing regulations and procedures for various types of transmission pipelines, including carbon dioxide and hazardous liquid pipelines.
With a final vote of 4-1, the ordinance primarily focuses on bringing controversial CO2 pipeline projects proposed by Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 Ventures under the oversight of the county.
Summit Carbon’s Midwest Carbon Express pipeline, valued at $4.5 billion, is planned to span approximately 477 miles across South Dakota. Navigator’s Heartland Greenway project, worth $3.2 billion, is set to cover around 111 miles within the state’s southeastern counties.
The amendment to the ordinance outlines specific setbacks that must be adhered to for regulated pipelines in the county. Additionally, these pipelines must meet specific criteria for special use permits to be granted for their installation.
Carbon companies can obtain conditional use permits to install their pipelines by paying an annual fee of $300 per linear mile within the county.
Commissioners voted 3-2 on an amendment to reduce the minimum setback distance from the centerline of the pipeline to the nearest point of residential areas, churches, and businesses. The setback distance was reduced from 750 feet to 330 feet.
The final vote on the amendment was postponed by two weeks due to a split vote of 2-2 on May 23 regarding the setback amendment.