Public Utilities Commission

Affected landowner Jared Bossly (in vest) and others attend a hearing Sept. 11, 2023, in Fort Pierre where the Public Utilities Commission rejected a permit application from Summit Carbon Solutions. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

State denies Summit permit; both carbon pipelines proposed in SD now rejected

BY: - September 11, 2023

FORT PIERRE — Some landowners who’ve been fighting against a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline shed tears of joy Monday as South Dakota utility regulators denied a permit application from Summit Carbon Solutions. The decision means both carbon pipelines currently proposed in eastern South Dakota have been rejected in their first attempts to gain permits in […]

South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioners, from left, Chris Nelson, Kristie Fiegen and Gary Hanson participate in a meeting Sept. 6, 2023, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

South Dakota regulators deny permit for Navigator CO2 carbon pipeline

BY: - September 6, 2023

PIERRE — In a unanimous decision, the three-member South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday rejected Navigator CO2’s application for a permit to construct the Heartland Greenway carbon capture pipeline in South Dakota.  The commission also unanimously refused the company’s request to preempt county pipeline setback ordinances. The ordinances mandate minimum distances between pipelines and […]

A sign displays the names of the state's three elected public utilities commissioners outside of their Pierre office in January 2023. (South Dakota Searchlight/Joshua Haiar)

Commissioners express concerns as carbon pipeline hearing ends

BY: - August 8, 2023

Two of the state’s publicly elected utility regulators expressed concerns about a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline Tuesday during the 10th and final day of a permit hearing in Pierre.  The Public Utilities Commission is required to make a decision within 12 months of receiving a permit application, which means a decision is due by Sept. […]

Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson participates in a hearing July 25, 2023, in Fort Pierre on a permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Farmers voice concern about accidental damage to proposed carbon pipeline

BY: - August 4, 2023

Farmers expressed concerns Friday about the potential for accidental damages to a proposed liquid carbon dioxide pipeline.  It was the eighth day of a permit hearing in Fort Pierre before the state Public Utilities Commission for the Heartland Greenway project proposed by Navigator CO2. Commissioners said the hearing will continue Saturday and probably also next […]

Public Utilities Commissioner Kristie Fiegen participates in a hearing July 25, 2023, in Fort Pierre on a permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Errors and missing info highlighted as carbon pipeline hearing continues

BY: - August 3, 2023

Public utilities commissioners denied a motion to withhold a permit for a liquid carbon dioxide pipeline Thursday, but they acknowledged lacking some useful information from the company applying to build it. It was the seventh day of a hearing at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre, with more days to come.  Navigator CO2 […]

The Public Utilities Commission conducts a hearing July 25, 2023, at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre on the permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Contrasting safety views aired on sixth day of carbon pipeline permit hearing

BY: - August 2, 2023

Opposing sides debated the safety of the proposed Heartland Greenway pipeline Wednesday during the sixth day of a permit hearing at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre.  Navigator CO2’s application to construct a pipeline carrying compressed carbon dioxide has some people worried about a leak. The project includes “a laundry list of techniques” […]

Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, sifts through papers regarding the carbon capture pipeline projects proposed to cross her land. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Landowners plead for their right to keep carbon pipeline off their land

BY: - August 1, 2023

Landowners urged the state Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday to help them prevent a liquid carbon dioxide pipeline from crossing their land. It was the fifth day of a hearing at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre on Navigator CO2’s application for a permit to construct the Heartland Greenway pipeline. It was also […]

Stephen Lee, executive vice president of engineering and construction for Navigator CO2, testifies about the proposed Heartland Greenway pipeline on July 27, 2023, during a hearing at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Crop damage payouts debated as pipeline hearing continues

BY: - July 31, 2023

A company touted its plan to reimburse crop damages caused by the installation of its proposed carbon capture pipeline, and an opposing attorney criticized the plan Monday during the fourth day of a permit hearing before state regulators at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre. Meanwhile, an expert witness for the company testified […]

John Abraham, a professor at the University of St. Thomas, prepares to offer expert testimony July 27, 2023, in Fort Pierre during a Public Utilities Commission hearing on a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Secret maps and toxic plumes dominate third day of pipeline testimony

BY: - July 27, 2023

FORT PIERRE – The “sensitive sites” potentially impacted by a carbon capture pipeline will remain confidential, for now. Meanwhile, modeling used to assess the impacts of a leak or rupture came under scrutiny Thursday during the third day of a permit hearing before state regulators at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center. Stephen Lee is the […]

Jared McEntaffer, CEO of Dakota Institute, testifies during a hearing July 26, 2023, in Fort Pierre on the permit sought by Navigator CO2 for a carbon capture pipeline. McEntaffer conducted an economic impact study on the project. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Economic projections questioned during second day of carbon pipeline hearing

BY: - July 26, 2023

FORT PIERRE — The economic benefits of a proposed carbon capture pipeline came under scrutiny Wednesday during the second day of a permit hearing before state regulators at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center. The project would create about 430 jobs in South Dakota during the construction phase, 20 jobs during operation, and $1.3 million in sales […]

The Public Utilities Commission conducts a hearing July 25, 2023, at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center in Fort Pierre on the permit application for the proposed Heartland Greenway carbon dioxide pipeline. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

Carbon pipeline permit hearing kicks off with clashes on multiple fronts

BY: - July 25, 2023

FORT PIERRE — A multi-day permit hearing for a proposed carbon capture pipeline got off to a tense start Tuesday at the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center as participants clashed over the rules of procedure and aspects of the project including land access, county-level regulations, safety and data quality. Brian Jorde, the attorney for some affected […]

(Getty Images)

Regulators to begin review of NorthWestern Energy’s proposed 16% rate increase

BY: - July 11, 2023

A company that provides electricity to 64,680 South Dakota customers wants to raise its rates by about 16%. South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission voted Tuesday to give itself six months to study the rate proposal. It would be a jump of $19.14 per month on an average residential customer’s bill, although the increase would affect […]