Aberdeen council weighs role in Summit Carbon pipeline proceedings, stops short of intervention

City Attorney Ron Weiger told the City of Aberdeen City Council on Jan. 21 that he recommended the city not seek formal party status in Summit Carbon Solutions’ carbon dioxide pipeline transmission application before the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC), citing legal limits on local authority and the obligations that come with intervention.

Weiger said intervention — formally becoming an intervener or party in a PUC case — carries both rights and obligations, including legal motions, discovery, producing evidence and participation in hearings. “Intervention is appropriate for people who intend to actively participate in the case through legal motions, discovery ... and in person participation in a formal hearing,” he said. “For that reason, I am recommending that we not seek party status.”

Why it matters: Council members and several residents said the pipeline proposal could affect future development, emergency response readiness and property owners near Aberdeen, where parts of the proposed route lie near an ethanol plant on the west edge of town. The council…