Summit Carbon's Pipeline Faces Backlash: Lawsuits and Political Shifts Threaten Project's Future

April 9, 2025
Summit Carbon's Pipeline Faces Backlash: Lawsuits and Political Shifts Threaten Project's Future
  • As of late 2024, while Summit has secured pipeline routes in Iowa and North Dakota, it continues to face significant legal and political challenges in South Dakota.

  • The ethanol industry is also exploring the conversion of ethanol into jet fuel, which necessitates reducing carbon emissions to qualify for tax incentives.

  • In response to public outcry, South Dakota's governor signed a law in March 2023 that prohibits the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, jeopardizing the project's future.

  • Public sentiment has united farmers and environmentalists against the pipeline, creating a rare coalition that opposes Summit's legal strategy and the project's implications.

  • Despite the numerous lawsuits, Summit maintains that it prefers to secure voluntary easements, claiming that most agreements have been reached without litigation.

  • However, landowners like Jared Bossly have reported aggressive tactics from Summit, including high-pressure negotiations and legal actions, which have galvanized local resistance.

  • The backlash against Summit's tactics has led to a political shift in South Dakota, with new lawmakers elected who oppose the pipeline and its use of eminent domain.

  • Summit Carbon Solutions is pursuing a major initiative to construct a 2,500-mile pipeline designed to connect with 57 ethanol plants, aiming to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions in North Dakota.

  • While some farmers support the pipeline for its economic potential, many express concerns regarding property rights and safety risks associated with the project.

  • In a controversial move, Summit has filed hundreds of lawsuits against landowners across the Midwest, with a significant number of these actions occurring in South Dakota.

  • Proponents of the pipeline, particularly within the ethanol industry, argue that it is essential for economic growth and for adapting to the evolving market for aviation fuel.

  • The future of Summit's project remains uncertain, especially after the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission rejected its permit application in September 2023.

Summary based on 10 sources


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