South Dakota
South Dakota governor signs eminent domain ban, leaving Summit pipeline’s future unclear
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South Dakota Republican Gov. Larry Rhoden announced Thursday that he signed a bill banning the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, delivering a victory to property-rights activists who spent several years advocating for the bill.
It was a blow to Ames-based Summit Carbon Solutions, which is seeking to build a carbon capture pipeline that would serve ethanol plants in South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and Minnesota. South Dakota was the last remaining state where it hoped to gain a pipeline permit and eminent domain rights to obtain the needed land for the project from property owners unwilling to negotiate the rights.
Eminent domain is the right to access private property for projects that benefit the public, with compensation determined by a court. It’s commonly used for projects such as electrical power lines, water pipelines, oil pipelines and highways.
The legislation passed the state Senate on Tuesday after passing the House in late January. It prohibits carbon pipeline developers from using eminent domain to acquire land. The issue has been at the center of a contentious debate over Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed $9 billion carbon capture pipeline.
The project would transport carbon dioxide from more than 50 ethanol plants across the five states, including eastern South Dakota, to an underground storage site in North Dakota. It would qualify for billions in federal tax credits incentivizing the sequestration of heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions.In a letter explaining his decision, Rhoden, a western South Dakota rancher and former legislator, emphasized his longstanding commitment to property rights and framed the bill as a way to restore trust between landowners and developers.
“I am no stranger to discussions about eminent domain and property rights,” Rhoden wrote. “l’ve fought for private property rights in this Capitol for over 20 years. When I was a legislator, I was the prime sponsor of legislation that reformed eminent domain to protect property rights. I don’t just care about landowners — I am a landowner.”
Supporters of the bill have argued that private companies like Summit should not be able to access land against the will of its owners. Opponents, however, contended that the measure could harm the ethanol industry, which is seeking ways to lower its carbon footprint as some states and countries limit sales of carbon-intensive fuels.
Rhoden said voluntary land-access agreements known as easements should be the path forward. He said his signature of the bill “does not kill the proposed project.”
“I encourage Summit and others to view it as an opportunity for a needed reset,” he wrote. “Voluntary easements for this proposed project will still be able to move forward.”
Summit says it will move forward with pipeline in other states
Summit, in a statement, said the ban “changed the rules in the middle of the game.”
“This kind of regulatory uncertainty creates real challenges — not just for our project, but for the ethanol plants in South Dakota that now face a competitive disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighboring states,” Summit said. “While this presents obstacles, our project moves forward in states that support investment and innovation, and we will have more news on that soon.”
In response to a question from South Dakota Searchlight about whether the company might challenge the new law in court, Summit provided a statement that said “all options are on the table but we remain focused on working with stakeholders to support the long-term success of the ethanol industry and support the president’s goals of American energy dominance.”
“It’s unfortunate that a piece of legislation has been framed around a single company rather than addressing broader infrastructure and economic policy,” the company added.Summit has not yet received a permit from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The company’s initial application was denied in 2023, largely due to the route’s conflicts with local ordinances that mandate minimum distances between pipelines and existing features. The company has since made some adjustments to its route and reapplied, and that application is pending.
The project has received permits in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota, while Nebraska does not have a permitting process, and some of the permits have been challenged in court.
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association President Monte Shaw said the group was disappointed by the news from South Dakota.
“An unnecessary roadblock has been thrown up between Midwest corn farmers and much needed new markets,” Shaw said in a news release. “The South Dakota law effectively bans carbon pipelines in the state. While this is horrible for South Dakota and unfortunate for nearby states, there are numerous opportunities to sequester and ways to get there that don’t include South Dakota. The demand for ultra-low carbon ethanol around the globe is so massive that, at the end of the day, no one state will be able to stop the ethanol industry from accessing that market.”
The American Carbon Alliance likewise expressed disappointment.
“This ill-advised legislation comes at a time when South Dakota farmers and ethanol producers desperately need new markets to restore profitability,” Tom Buis, the group’s CEO, said in a statement. “Instead of supporting economic growth, this decision creates unnecessary roadblocks and sends the wrong message to agriculture and rural communities.”
Sierra Club calls for rally supporting similar bills in Iowa
The Sierra Club’s Iowa chapter declared the law a “hard fought victory for property rights,” with its attorney, Wally Taylor, saying it “will effectively end Summit’s project.”
The club’s Jess Mazour, in a statement, called on the Iowa Legislature to pass similar bills, one of which, HSB287, she said passed out of the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, beating Friday’s funnel deadline.
Mazour added that landowners opposed to carbon pipelines and the Sierra Club Iowa Chapter will hold a rally at 11 a.m. March 18 at the Iowa Capitol to push for passage of the legislation.
“Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Senate should take a lesson from South Dakota and listen to their constituents.” Mazour said.
The bill’s passage follows a shift in the South Dakota’s political landscape, with opponents of eminent domain gaining influence in the Legislature. Last year, lawmakers passed a compromise bill that imposed new restrictions on carbon pipelines and implemented new protections for landowners and counties, but did not ban eminent domain. That measure faced fierce opposition. It was referred to the ballot in November and defeated, and 14 Republican incumbents lost their legislative seats in the June primary. This legislative session, some prominent critics of eminent domain were elevated into leadership positions.
Sen. Joy Hohn, R-Hartford, is among the new crop of legislators who supported the eminent domain ban.“The use of power of condemnation by a private company for the benefit of potential future markets is not worth the dangerous precedent it sets for future generations,” Hohn said. “On behalf of South Dakota citizens and property owners across our great state, we are so grateful to Governor Rhoden.”
This story was originally published by South Dakota Searchlight, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com.
LARCHWOOD, Iowa (KIWA) – A Tea, South Dakota man has been arrested on a felony domestic abuse charge after an incident near Larchwood.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lyon County Clerk of Court’s Office by the Iowa State Patrol, 45-year-old Beau Christensen of Tea is accused of assaulting his girlfriend in their hotel room at Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort near Larchwood. He was arrested on Wednesday, July 8.
In his statement, the state trooper who filed the report says Christensen put his hands around the victim’s neck. The victim stated she could not breathe while this was happening.
Christensen was charged with domestic abuse assault – impeding air or blood flow, a class D felony. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.
He faces a preliminary hearing on Friday, July 10.
At last report, Christensen remained in the Lyon County Jail in Rock Rapids in lieu of a $6000 bond.
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BROOKINGS, S.D. – Instead of boarding airplanes or planning weeklong vacations, many South Dakota families are spending summer weekends closer to home, filling festivals, community events and family attractions that offer affordable ways to make memories together.
That trend is showing up across the state, according to South Dakota tourism officials. And organizers of many local events say they’ve watched it evolve over decades.
“We did re-coin that term ‘staycation’ again this year,” said Shari Budahl Avery, publicity chair for the 55-year-old Brookings Summer Arts Festival. “If things are a little tight but you want to get away for a day, we can provide that experience.”
Families are redefining summer travel
Travel South Dakota has reported that many travelers are choosing more affordable destinations, taking shorter trips and staying closer to home because of continued economic uncertainty. The department said South Dakota is well positioned because many visitors already travel by car from nearby states.
According to the department, 58% of visitors travel within 150 miles of home, and affordability, scenic beauty and family experiences remain among the state’s strongest attractions.
Travel South Dakota reports that visitors rate the state highly for affordability and family experiences, with 87% saying they would recommend South Dakota to others and 90% planning to return.
Shawn Steward, public affairs manager for AAA South Dakota, said travelers look for ways to make summer vacations fit their finances rather than canceling them altogether.
“People still want to travel,” Steward said in an interview with South Dakota News Watch. “They’re just making different choices.”
Steward said many families are adjusting by taking shorter trips, traveling by car instead of flying or choosing destinations closer to home, trends that align with what tourism officials and local event organizers are seeing across South Dakota.
Local events become summer destinations
Budahl Avery said those statewide trends match what festival organizers have observed for years.
“We’re kind of dead center in a pretty good population center,” she said. “People can come on what one friend from Texas called a ‘tank trip’ – somewhere you can drive on one tank of gas and get home.”
The two-day festival features about 178 juried artists, live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors and historical demonstrations. Budahl Avery said the goal is to create an experience where multiple generations can spend time together without needing an expensive vacation.
Affordable, convenient entertainment
During a recent stop in Brookings, the Cardin International Circus drew families from across the region. Ringmaster and comedian Rulito Videla said attendance varies from city to city, but he believes many families are looking for affordable experiences closer to home.
“If they are staying home, support your local events,” Videla said. “The circus is family-oriented entertainment. You create memories.”
Visitors interviewed in Brookings described making similar choices.
Erica Quam said her family often prefers several smaller outings over one major vacation.
“We live right near Brookings,” Quam said. “It’s close, there were some coupons that made it more affordable, and it’s just a fun, easy activity.”
Sienna Vanmeveren also chose to stay closer to home this summer to save money.
“It’s easier than traveling somewhere,” she said, adding that she would likely travel more if finances allowed.
Not every family is changing its travel habits.
Sviatlana Senchanka said her family recently completed a road trip from South Dakota to California and continues to spend time outdoors at local lakes. She said work schedules determine when her family travels more than travel costs.
For Budahl Avery, however, the value of community events extends beyond economics.
“What keeps families coming back?” she said. “Tradition. Joy. Making memories.”
Whether families travel across the country or simply across town, organizers and visitors alike say a memorable summer doesn’t always require going far from home.
South Dakota News Watch is an independent nonprofit. Read, subscribe for free and donate at sdnewswatch.org. Amina Aidarkhanova received the 2026 Jeffrey B. Nelson Investigative Journalism Endowed Internship and the Chuck Raasch and Sandy Johnson Scholarship from the SDSU Foundation. Contact: amina.aidarkhanova@sdnewswatch.org.
South Dakota
South Dakota governor’s office reports helping with over 800 deportations as feds deliver funding
South Dakota troopers have assisted in more than 204 immigration-related arrests, and state National Guard soldiers have helped process 807 deportations as the state continues to expand its partnership with federal immigration authorities.
The update came as Gov. Larry Rhoden announced that President Donald Trump’s administration has provided $150,418 to the state to recoup the costs associated with the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the terms of an agreement signed in the spring of 2025, state troopers are authorized to carry out some federal immigration enforcement duties.
The money will go toward payroll, and specialized equipment and technology for the Highway Patrol’s enforcement work. The state expects additional funding as operations continue, according to a news release from Rhoden’s office.
In May, Rhoden issued a press release saying the federal government had committed to reimbursing the state $165,000. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to a question about the total cost of immigration-related enforcement for the state patrol.
Rhoden’s immigration enforcement push, which also loops in the state Department of Corrections and the South Dakota National Guard, is part of a law enforcement undertaking dubbed “Operation Prairie Thunder.” It features periodic saturation patrols by state troopers, 14 of which have taken place in 11 cities across South Dakota since last July. Initial operations focused on Sioux Falls.
“Our partnership with ICE has delivered strong results, and I look forward to continuing to partner with the Trump Administration as we work to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free,” Rhoden said in the press release.
The governor’s office said 40 Highway Patrol troopers are participating in the program. That’s more than double the number trained in mid-May,
when Rhoden announced plans
to fold more troopers into the program.
The 204 trooper-assisted apprehensions of people who reportedly lacked legal status is a jump from May, when
the state said Highway Patrol
reported 150 arrests.
The Corrections Department, meanwhile, has paroled 25 people into ICE custody for deportation. Four more people incarcerated by the state were approved for release into federal custody by the parole board in June, Rhoden’s office said, and the board will consider four more cases in July.
Each person released from state custody saves the state an average of $34,000 per year, Rhoden’s office said.
Seven South Dakota National Guard soldiers have also remained deployed in Sioux Falls and Rapid City since the fall to help ICE process deportations. National Guard-assisted deportation processing starting in May 2025
rose from 664 through mid-May
to 807 as of Tuesday.
The state Department of Public Safety did not immediately respond to a request for the total number of people deported from South Dakota since the state began coordinating with ICE.
Some of the people whose ICE deportations were aided by the state National Guard may not have been living in South Dakota, Rhoden spokesperson Josie Harms told Searchlight, as they could’ve been apprehended while traveling through the state.
ICE did not respond to a request for comment on the total number of people deported from South Dakota since Trump took office.
— This story was originally published on southdakotasearchlight.com.
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