South Dakota

South Dakota joins pushback against new EPA coal rules • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2024

South Dakota joins pushback against new EPA coal rules • South Dakota Searchlight

South Dakota has joined a group of states, led by North Dakota and West Virginia, in asking a federal court to review new pollution standards impacting the coal industry.

Attorneys general from 23 states signed the petition asking for a review of the regulations that took effect Tuesday. The final proposed rules became public on April 25.

“This rule intentionally sets impossible standards to destroy the coal industry,” North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said in a news release.

Wrigley said the Biden administration has ignored limits on its authority set by Congress.

“Federal agencies cannot decide on a whim to destroy entire industries,” Wrigley said.

North Dakota prepares to fight EPA rule one official calls a ‘death penalty for coal’

The petition was filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., asking the court to review the Environmental Protection Agency rule.

Other states that signed the petition were Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

In its announcement of the rules on April 25, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said “EPA is cutting pollution while ensuring that power companies can make smart investments and continue to deliver reliable electricity for all Americans.”

In particular, North Dakota officials have taken issue with new, stricter mercury emissions standards.

Dave Glatt, director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, said the mercury standard provides no measurable health benefits and are a “death sentence for coal.”

Jason Bohrer, president and CEO of the Lignite Energy Council, released a statement after the final rule was announced in April.

“Electricity demand is surging, and the EPA’s agenda will severely impact our ability to rely on electricity 24/7,” Bohrer said. “These regulations mandate either fuel switching or the implementation of unproven technology, jeopardizing the stability of the national power supply, and putting over 12,000 jobs in the lignite industry at risk.”

The Lignite Energy Council says the North Dakota coal industry contributes $5.75 billion to the state economy and more than $100 million in state and local taxes.

In addition to mercury reductions, the new rules also lower the levels of pollutants that coal-fired power plants can discharge through wastewater, sets standards for handling coal ash and sets limits on carbon emissions. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and other state officials have repeatedly complained about onerous regulations from the Biden administration, with Burgum even making a plea to a legislative committee to provide adequate funding for the state’s legal battles with the federal government.

A version of this story was originally published by the North Dakota Monitor. Like South Dakota Searchlight, it’s part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: [email protected]. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and Twitter.

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South Dakota

Recent Farmland Sales in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota

Published

2 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Recent Farmland Sales in Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, South Dakota

Link to the listing: https://www.frrmail.com/…

For more information, contact: Cory Busse, Farm & Ranch Realty, Inc., at 785-332-8345 or frr@frrmail.com

KENTUCKY, Hopkins County. Five tracts of river-bottom cropland totaling 597.9 acres sold at auction for $5.39 million, or $9,015 per acre. Tracts ranged from 16 to 255 acres, with much containing drainage tile. Soil types were primarily Karnak silty clay and loam with some Belknap and Robbs silty loam. Structures included a tool shed and a 5,000-bushel grain bin. Tracts ranged in price from $7,800 to $11,500 per acre.

Link to the listing: https://www.kurtzauction.com/…

For more information, contact: Joseph Mills, Kurtz Auction & Realty Co., at 800-262-1204 or jmills@kurtzauction.com.

SOUTH DAKOTA, Dewey County. A contiguous, 1,529-acre farm sold to a single bidder at auction for $2,600 per acre, or $3.98 million. The property was offered in four parcels, two of which were historically in crop production (wheat, oats, corn and sunflowers) and boasted Soil Productivity Indexes of 70 or higher. Another highly productive parcel was planted in grass and alfalfa but could be converted to row crops. The remaining parcel included a blend of cropland, pasture and an updated home with a steel barn, shop, two Quonset-style buildings, continuous panel corrals and water tank.

Link to the listing: https://glcland.com/…

For more information, contact: Kristen Gill, Gill Land Company, at 701.934.2732 or 605.848.4502 or kristen@glcland.com.

— These sales figures are provided by the sources and may not be exact because of rounding.

— Submit recent land sales to landwatch@dtn.com

Katie Dehlinger can be reached at katie.dehlinger@dtn.com

Follow Katie on social platform X at @KatieD_DTN

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South Dakota

Former South Dakota National Guard adjutant general announces bid for state house of representatives

Published

14 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Former South Dakota National Guard adjutant general announces bid for state house of representatives

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -The former top official of the South Dakota national guard under former Governor Kristi Noem has announced his campaign to become a state representative for district 33.

Jeff Marlett’s bid makes him a contender in the Republican primary for the district.

Marlett served for 36 years in the South Dakota National Guard which included combat service in Iraq and most recently spending three years as the commanding general of the national guard from 2019 to 2023.

“I’ve always considered that job, it’s not about me, it’s about the great men and women who served in the South Dakota national guard, and I got the opportunity to serve with them so, it was an honor to serve with them,” said Marlette.

Marlette also worked as the west river director under Senator Mike Rounds and served for numerous years as a superintendent of schools for districts in South Dakota. Now Marlette wants to spend his next chapter as a state representative. He explained that he thinks people are “tired of the noise” with politics. He blamed that exhaustion on people stepping away the two major parties.

“They want people that are willing to go, and, and not think they have all the answers and not be wrapped up about, well I’m more Republican thank you are or you’re a dem o.. no, it’s not about that. It’s about looking at meaningful policy, laws if needed, but governing by what’s really truly necessary and best for South Dakota,” said Marlette.

According to a press release for Marlette, he says he will support sensible restructuring of the property tax system, a strong education system and a vibrant environment for business. Marlette said during our interview that he has mixed reviews on the 19 property tax relief proposals out of the property tax task force.

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South Dakota-made munitions systems will anchor U.S. military’s drone dominance

Published

1 day ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

South Dakota-made munitions systems will anchor U.S. military’s drone dominance

U.S. Army Soldiers look at prototype drones as part of a flight and capabilities demonstration on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 22, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Adaris Cole)

A multi-rotor drone and its fixed-wing, one-way attack counterpart that flanked a wall-sized American flag inside a northern Sioux Falls warehouse Friday weren’t the main attraction.

Rather, Pentagon officials and South Dakota dignitaries gathered for an invite-only ceremony at MMS Product, Inc. to get a look at a newly developed military advancement that will give South Dakota a front-row seat to the U.S. military’s race to drone warfare dominance.