60% of South Dakotans sided with landowners, who called out RL 21 as “Summit’s Bill of Rights” and a danger to local communities
Pierre – South Dakota voters decisively rejected Referred Law 21 on Nov. 5, stopping Summit Carbon Solutions’ attempt to eliminate local control over carbon dioxide (CO2) pipeline zoning laws. By a margin of 60% – 40%, (https://electionresults.sd.gov/) South Dakotans defended landowners’ rights and the authority of local officials to enact ordinances that protect their communities from the risks of CO2 pipelines.
The vote means SB 201, legislation heavily backed by Summit, will not go into effect, requiring the company to comply with county ordinances or abandon its plans in those areas. These local laws include commonsense safety provisions to protect communities from potential hazards associated with the multistate CO2 pipeline project.
“South Dakota voters have spoken: South Dakota is not for sale. Summit and its big-moneyed partners thought they could buy the voters as easily as they bought the legislature. They outspent us by over a tenfold, but voters saw through their lies. As South Dakotans, we value local control and our communities. By defeating Referred Law 21, the voters have proven that we value people over profits. Hopefully this time the legislature will listen,” said Ed Fischbach, South Dakota landowner impacted by the proposed Summit CO2 pipeline. “
Despite a substantial spending disparity, with Dakota Rural Action and allies raising just over $220,000 against the Vote Yes coalition’s $2.7 million campaign, mainly financed by Summit’s ethanol-producing partners, South Dakotans saw through the misleading claims that RL21 would benefit schools, and understood its true impact on local control.
Additionally, the South Dakota Supreme Court recently denied Summit’s petition to rehear its case, reinforcing a previous ruling that Summit lacks “common carrier” status under state law. This decision further blocks Summit from using eminent domain to seize land for its CO2 pipeline.
“This is a significant win for those committed to solving the actual issues these CO2 pipelines have raised in our state. We’ll stay diligent in the upcoming legislative session, ensuring that real solutions move forward and standing firm against any efforts that don’t fully address community needs,” said Chase Jensen, Senior Organizer with Dakota Rural Action.
Emma Schmit, Director of Bold Alliance’s Pipeline Fighters Hub said, “For three and a half years, we’ve been told that Summit’s carbon scam is inevitable and time and time again we’ve proven that carbon pipelines are nothing more than pipe dreams. The power of greed will never overcome the power of people fighting against a shared injustice –and we’ll be there to prove it until these carbon con artists give up once and for all.”
PRESS: Contact Chase Jensen at Chase@dakotarural.org, 605-277-3730