A climate corporation is trying to gain access to dozens of private properties in South Dakota against their owners consent so it can build a carbon capture pipeline.
Summit Carbon Solutions intends for the pipeline, which will cross five states in the Midwest, to capture carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere and store it underground in South Dakota. The $4.5 billion pipeline will be built across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and North Dakota as well.
However, the company has been running into some resistance, particularly in South Dakota where landowners tried refusing the corporation access to conduct initial surveys. The surveys involve drilling holes into the ground, 312 inches in diameter and up to 200 feet deep, which can adversely affect crops.
In response to their refusal, Summit sued over 80 landowners to gain forced access to their properties. The companys lawyers have also threatened the farmers with eminent domain forced land expropriation if they do not agree to sell the company easements on their properties.
A judge granted Summit its request to conduct surveys on lands without the property owners consent provided that the company serve 30 days notice,...