As state legislators return to Pierre for a new session, residents opposed to using eminent domain for private gain plan to greet them at the capitol, including several from Moody County.
A rally was planned for Tuesday, featuring speakers such as District 25 Senator Jon Hansen.
Eminent domain reform is one of the most significant and divisive issues lawmakers will revisit this spring. So far, the only bill addressing it and the one to watch is Senate Bill 49.
The debate has dominated state politics for years, as private carbon capture pipeline companies, working primarily with South Dakotas ethanol industry, propose a network of lines across the states eastern half. In November, property owners decisively rejected legislation that would have permitted the use of eminent domain for projects like this.
Last week, Moody County joined a growing list of counties approving resolutions urging legislators to pass eminent domain reform. The resolution calls for prohibiting the practice for companies seeking private gain.
This is not a necessarily binding resolution; it is an informative, persuasive resolution, Moody County States Attorney Paul Lewis told the commission ahead of the commissions vote.
Because the way they wrote it (SB 49), it will get the attention of rural electrification any wind developers out there, its not just limited to pipelines.
Summit Carbon Solutions is again seeking approval to build a $9 billion pipeline network. The project aims to capture carbon dioxide from 57 ethanol plants across five states, including eastern South Dakota, and transport it to North Dakota for underground storage.
The Public Utilities Commission is hosting another series of public input meetings this week at six different locations along or near the proposed route.
Moody County itself is not in the current path, likely because of its landowner protections put in place in recent years, but the new route is close and would impact at least a few local property owners.
Public input meetings are scheduled for:
Wednesday, Jan. 15, Mitchell: Performing Arts Center, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, Sioux Falls: Southeast Technical College, 5 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16, De Smet: Event Center Theater, 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 16, Watertown: Event Center, 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 17, Aberdeen: Dakota Event Center, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 17, Redfield: School Auditorium, 6 p.m.
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