Carbon Pipeline Restrictions Puts Economic Opportunities at Risk

South Dakota’s new law removes eminent domain as an option for carbon pipeline projects. American Carbon Alliance CEO Tom Buis warned the decision puts major economic opportunities for the state at risk. “The governor and legislature talk about being open for opportunity, but two of the biggest economic opportunities ever proposed for South Dakota are now at risk based on what they just passed.”  Buis contrasted South Dakota’s approach with North Dakota, where leaders have embraced carbon capture as a strategy to support ethanol and agriculture. “Every year our corn yields go up, every year the efficiency of ethanol plants goes up, but we’ve basically been running in place on the demand front,” he said. “Capturing carbon and creating a low-carbon feedstock like ethanol for sustainable aviation fuel or higher blends is absolutely a winner and something we desperately need.”