Landowners report progress at Des Moines hearing; county resident says Summit seeks stay, may alter pipeline scope

A Woodbury County resident and landowner, Doyle Turner, reported to the board on a recent administrative hearing in Des Moines related to Summit’s interstate pipeline permit. Turner attended the hearing and summarized arguments made by Summit and by county attorneys.

Turner told supervisors that Summit’s legal position appears to have shifted: he said Summit is now asking for changes it previously opposed and that the company is seeking a stay or amendment of the permit. Turner said Summit previously conditioned construction on permits in neighboring states, and that Summit’s current approach suggests it cannot meet earlier conditions in South Dakota. "They're trying desperately to hold on to a permit that they've essentially admitted that they can't meet the terms of," Turner said in his remarks.

Turner also said the company’s request could change the pipe size that would traverse Woodbury County; he said an amendment could move the local line from a 12- or 14-inch pipe to a 24-inch trunk line, which would make Woodbury County a primary trunk route. He estimated a ruling could come in a matter of weeks and praised the presiding judge’s engagement during the hearing.

Board members and others on the dais commented about differences in earlier hearings, and Turner and other speakers described treatment of landowners at prior sessions. Turner characterized the earlier regulatory hearings as poor for landowners and said the venue and judge in the recent hearing treated participants with more respect.

Ending: Turner said he expected a ruling within a few weeks; the remarks were delivered as citizen comment and did not represent an action by the board.