North Dakota

Summit avoids going back to square one with pipeline permit application in North Dakota

Published

10 months ago

September 16, 2023

Summit avoids going back to square one with pipeline permit application in North Dakota

North Dakota regulators decided Friday to reconsider Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposal to build the $5.5 billion carbon capture pipeline through the state, instead of forcing the Ames company to reapply for a permit.

Iowa opponents have argued that Summit’s petition for a hazardous liquid pipeline in the state should be paused until it receives approval in North Dakota, which is where the Ames company plans to sequester 15 million tons of liquid carbon dioxide annually.

Summit proposes to capture carbon dioxide from about 30 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, liquefy it under pressure and transport it via 2,000 miles of pipeline before sequestering it deep underground in North Dakota.

North Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart argued in favor of having Summit file a new application because of the “breadth of the changes” needed to be made in response to deficiencies the panel outlined last month in unanimously denying the company’s permit request.

Haugen-Hoffart said Summit executives had six months to address landowner and community concerns about the route location “and they didn’t.”

More: Summit Carbon Solutions reapplies for critical North Dakota pipeline permit

Now, Summit proposes 570 changes to the route, plus a large shift around Bismarck, the state’s capital, she said. Summit “should pause and look at all the deficiencies that were in this initial application,” Haugen-Hoffart said. “These issues are huge.”

Commission Chairman Randy Christmann and Timothy Dawson, a substitute commissioner, voted to allow Summit to tackle problems with its application instead of restarting with a new application.

Christmann said the commission is charged with making a “just, speedy and inexpensive determination.” And requiring both supporters and opponents to repeat earlier testimony violates that directive, Christmann said.

With a new permit application, “all that earlier testimony is wiped out, and that concerns me,” he said, adding that some participants may not testify in a new hearing, believing the information wouldn’t need to be restated.

“That person would think that we’re smart enough to remember it, and we probably are, but we can’t use it anymore,” Christmann said.

The commission’s decision to reconsider Summit’s application doesn’t mean the panel will “grant the corridor certificate or the route permit,” Christmann said. “It only allows additional evidence for the company to try to persuade us that they are addressing the deficiencies.”

Christmann said the panel would set a hearing schedule and “clarify the issues to be considered.”

In August, the commission said Summit had failed to meet “its burden of proof” to show the pipeline’s location, construction and operation would have minimal adverse impact on the state’s environment and residents.

Among the concerns: Some political leaders opposed the project’s route around Bismarck, saying the pipeline route would constrain future residential growth and raise safety concerns. In response, Summit has proposed to reroute the pipeline 10 miles north of Bismarck and away from areas slated for development.

Summit CEO Lee Blank said Friday the company has “listened to and learned from the concerns raised” by the commission.

More: Iowa agribusiness magnate’s access to Gov. Kim Reynolds paves way for pipeline, lawyer says

“Subsequently, we rerouted around Bismarck, made adjustments to drill or bypass game management and geo-hazard areas, and collaborated with the State Historic Preservation Office to record the findings of cultural surveys,” Blank said in a statement.

Summit said it has easement agreements with 76% of landowners along the route in North Dakota.

Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.

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North Dakota

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

Published

7 hours ago

July 23, 2024

Press Room

South Dakota Democratic delegates unanimously endorse Harris as presidential pick • South Dakota Searchlight

The South Dakota delegates to the Democratic National Convention met virtually Monday night and voted unanimously to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee in the 2024 presidential race.

South Dakota Democrats hopeful, not yet ready to endorse Harris as presidential nominee

In voting to endorse Harris, South Dakota Democrats fell in line with other state and national Democratic leaders who quickly followed the lead from President Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 race via social media Sunday afternoon and endorsed Harris as his successor shortly thereafter.

Democrats in Nebraska, Maryland, Florida, New Hampshire, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia were among the states where Democrats backed Harris as of Monday evening.

Harris has also picked up endorsements from key leaders at the national level. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, mentioned as a possible Democratic contender himself, endorsed Harris quickly on Sunday. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Harris Monday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had not endorsed Harris as of Monday evening, but Jeffries said earlier in the day that Harris had “excited the House Democratic Caucus and she’s exciting the country.”

Late Monday evening, the New York Times, CNN and other national media organizations reported that Harris had secured the backing of more than the 1,976 delegates needed to win the nomination in the first round of voting at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month. The news came by way of a poll from The Associated Press, which broke the story.

The poll listed 2,668 delegates pledged to Harris and 54 undecided as of 10 p.m. CST Monday.

The Democratic National Committee will move forward with the process to formally nominate a presidential candidate Wednesday when its Rules Committee meets in a public virtual session amid ongoing efforts to set up a virtual roll call vote ahead of the convention next month in Chicago, according to reporting from States Newsroom.

South Dakota Democrats backed Biden with around 75% of the vote in the state’s June 4 primary. In a news release, the South Dakota Democratic Party announced that its 20 voting delegates to the August convention had voted unanimously to back Harris.

“We thank President Biden for his leadership throughout his career and for choosing Kamala Harris four years ago to be his Vice President,” said Delegate Chair Jessica Meyers. “Harris has proven that she is more than equipped to take on the Presidency and we as a delegation are looking forward to casting the official vote for her.”

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North Dakota

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

Published

14 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at the ND State Fair

MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – This is a reminder for servicemembers and their families that the North Dakota State Fair is continuing its long-standing tradition of honoring those who serve with a special Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday.

Military members and their families can enjoy lunch from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the north festival tent.

The event is sponsored by the N.D. Beef Commission, N.D. Stockmen’s Association, and N.D. CattleWomen.

They can also enjoy free carnival rides from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., half-off unlimited ride wristbands, and $2 off go-cart rides.

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North Dakota

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

Published

21 hours ago

July 22, 2024

Press Room

Applications now available for 2024 North Dakota swan license

BISMARCK – Hunters can now apply for a 2024 North Dakota swan license

on the Game and Fish Department’s website

at gf.nd.gov, the department said Monday, July 22.

North Dakota residents and nonresidents are eligible to apply. The resident swan license is $10, while the nonresident fee is $30. The application deadline is Aug. 21.

North Dakota’s statewide tundra swan hunting season opens Sept. 28, and 2,200 licenses are available. Successful applicants will receive a tag to take one swan during the season. Since swans are classified as waterfowl, nonresidents may hunt them only during the period their nonresident waterfowl license is valid.

All swan hunters, regardless of age, are required to have a general game and habitat license when applying. In addition, nonresidents must have a waterfowl license, and residents 16 and older need a small game or combination license.

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