Summit Carbon's Pipeline Faces Backlash: Lawsuits and Political Shifts Threaten Project's Future
April 9, 2025
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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Sources

Rapid City Journal • Apr 8, 2025
A pipeline company sought to grab land from 'hundreds' of people. Now its project is threatened