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Lawmakers debate eminent‑domain ban for carbon pipelines after court ruling
Summary
House Bill 1052, to prohibit use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, passed the House; forum speakers differed about necessity after a recent court ruling and about economic tradeoffs.
At the Vermillion forum, lawmakers discussed House Bill 1052, which would forbid pipelines carrying carbon dioxide from using eminent domain. The House passed the bill 49‑19, participants noted, and speakers differed on whether statutory action was necessary after a recent court decision.
Senator Sydney Davis said the Supreme Court had already found that carbon dioxide is not a commodity for eminent‑domain purposes and questioned why the Legislature was revisiting the issue. Representative Bill Shorma defended the economic argument for pipelines, saying the project could deliver substantial value to the state: he testified on the House floor that the pipeline could bring an “increased value of corn, $500,000,000 a year to the state of South Dakota.” Representative Chris Kasten emphasized the divisive local impacts and urged lawmakers to find ways to preserve neighborly relationships while resolving policy disputes.
Nut Graf: The debate highlights tension between property‑rights protections and proponents’ economic arguments; legal precedent and potential litigation shaped lawmakers’ perspectives.
Ending: Senator Davis said the Senate will consider the bill and examine possible legal and fiscal consequences before final action.
