Private Property Rights

South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke discusses eminent domain concerns during a press conference Oct. 12, 2023, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. The press conference was held to announce the launch of the South Dakotans First coalition. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

New property rights coalition plans to lobby for eminent domain restrictions

BY: - October 12, 2023

SIOUX FALLS — A statewide coalition has formed to pursue restrictions on the use of eminent domain for projects such as carbon dioxide pipelines.  The group introduced itself during a press conference Thursday at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.  The politically diverse coalition, named South Dakotans First, consists of the South Dakota Farmers Union, Dakota […]

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, left, of Navigator CO2, participates in a debate about carbon dioxide pipelines Aug. 22, 2023, at Dacotah Bank Event Center in Brookings while moderator Sara Frankenstein looks on. (Courtesy of David Bordewyk)

Carbon pipeline company has not ‘taken any state off the map’ after SD permit rejection

BY: and - September 15, 2023

A recently failed permit application is not necessarily the end of a carbon capture pipeline company’s goal of building in South Dakota and four other states, according to a company spokesperson.  “We have not taken any state off the map,” Elizabeth Burns-Thompson, of Navigator CO2, told South Dakota Searchlight in an interview Friday. The South […]

Landowners and stakeholders impacted by the two carbon capture pipeline projects planned for South Dakota listen as the House State Affairs Committee decides on six bills impacting the projects on Feb. 6, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Courtesy of Jason Harward/Forum News Service)

Committee advances bill to stop carbon pipelines from using eminent domain

BY: - February 6, 2023

A bill intended to prevent two proposed carbon pipeline projects from using eminent domain passed a legislative committee Monday.  The committee considered a total of six bills aimed at giving landowners more power in their fight against the pipeline projects. It was the first step in the legislative process for each of the bills during […]