This has been a decidedly different Labor Day weekend for me.
No State Fair, but I did manage to visit one of my family’s ancestral homes in Newport, RI, and finally accomplished a successful whale watching tour.. right about the time Jimmy Buffet’s passing hit the news.
Back to the salt mines tomorrow..
Katie Washnok Announces Candidacy for South Dakota Senate
Aberdeen, SD —September 1, 2023 – Today Katie Washnok (35) of Aberdeen, SD proudly announces her candidacy for South Dakota Senate from District 3, promising a new voice, fresh perspective, and unwavering dedication to the greater Aberdeen Area and its constituents.
With a proven track record of dedicated community involvement, Katie seeks to bring positive change and a strong voice to the South Dakota Senate.
Having worked in both Washington D.C. and Pierre early in her career, Katie brings an in-depth knowledge of the policy process. And her service to the community has instilled a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Northeastern South Dakotans. Katie will ensure these issues are made a priority in the legislature.
“I am excited to hit the campaign trail running, I look forward to engaging even more with the constituents of District 3, listening to their concerns, and working collaboratively to make the greater Aberdeen area an even better place to call home!” Says Washnok.
Katie invites all to join her campaign by liking her Facebook page “Katie Washnok for South Dakota Senate”.
Gov. Noem Visits Southern Border
Joins Border Security Press Conference
EAGLE PASS, T.X. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and four of her Republican Governor colleagues highlighted the total breakdown of the rule of law at America’s southern border. Governor Noem joined a border security press conference hosted by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in Eagle Pass, Texas. They were joined by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
“America’s border has become a warzone, so we’re sending soldiers,” said Governor Noem. “The Biden Administration should be sending help to Texas, but Republican governors are stepping up, instead. We will do everything in our power to keep South Dakotans safe.”
Two years ago, when Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for help securing the Southern border, Governor Kristi Noem was the first governor to send National Guard. Earlier this summer, Governor Noem committed to sending at least 50 National Guard soldiers to Texas to help them secure the border.
Photos from the press conference can be found here, here, and here.
Governor Noem also took an aerial helicopter tour of the southern border. A photo from the tour can be found here.
“These Governors here with me today are deploying military and law enforcement officers to help Texas secure the border,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “There is a reason the United Nations has named the border between the United States and Mexico the deadliest land border in the entire world. President Biden is responsible for that deadly border, and we’re not going to stand idly by. We, as states, share an obligation and that’s to step up and address this unparalleled catastrophe caused by President Biden.”
While at the southern border, Governor Noem attended an Operation Lone Star Briefing, as well as a briefing from Customs and Border Patrol. These briefings focused on the dire situation at the southern border and what governors can do to help secure the country. A photo can be found here.
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As South Dakota Democrats toss their chair on the figurative burn pile, one important item that should be noted is that it coincides with a big occasion – the number of people identifying as Democrat has slipped below the number of people who prefer no party label, choosing to identify as no party affiliation or independent.
With democrats at 150,886, the combined Independents/No Party Affiliation registrants are now 151,109, outpacing Democrat registration in the state for the first time ever!
Republican registration still outpaces the two combined, maintaining dominance.
The lesson? It should be a huge wake-up call to to everyone that when you quit doing the things that a political party is supposed to do, the end result is irrelevance.
South Dakota Democrats unanimously voted to dump chair Jennifer Slaight-Hansen after a reading of accusations and grievances, which apparently included treating an intern as personal staff, requiring them to drive Miss Daisy.
Other than a couple of party members who voted to abstain, over 50 delegates both online and in person voted unanimously to remove the Aberdeen native.
and…
Both party leadership and state lawmakers have appeared to be particularly bristled by the way that Slaight-Hansen allegedly treated both interns and others active in the party. Speakers at the Drifter’s convention center accused Slaight-Hansen of having used one of the party’s interns as a personal driver of hers, without consent or permission from the party’s executive board.
Read the entire story here (subscription required).
The accusations against Slaight-Hansen include using an intern as a personal chauffeur? Was her regular limo driver indisposed?
Apparently the Democrat chair job comes with a lot more perks then outsiders knew.
Summit Carbon Solutions Submits Revised Pipeline Permit Application
Responds to North Dakota PSC’s concerns, reroutes north of Bismarck
AMES, IA (August 19, 2023) — Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) is pleased to announce the submission of a Petition for Reconsideration for their pipeline permit application to the North Dakota Public Service Commission (ND PSC), showcasing its continued commitment to the community and addressing previously raised concerns.
In the Petition, SCS addressed previously raised concerns:
Avoidance Areas: Summit has rerouted or planned drills to avoid areas of concern, including game management areas and areas that may present a geo-hazard risk such as a landslide.
Cultural Resource Surveys: Summit is working with the State Historic Preservation Office to document the results of cultural surveys and is confident no historic or archeological sites will be affected by the Project. To date, Summit has completed cultural surveys on approximately 90% of the pipeline route.
Project Advancements:
Sequestration Site Advancement: SCS has successfully secured almost 90 percent of the space needed for its carbon sequestration sites in North Dakota.
“We’re truly grateful for the trust and support shown by the landowners of North Dakota, allowing us to make substantial progress in our pipeline route and sequestration site plans,” said Summit Carbon Solutions CEO Lee Blank. “Addressing the concerns of the ND PSC is a top priority for us, and we’ve worked diligently to revise our application accordingly. Our aim is to work collaboratively, listen to everyone’s input, and align our project with the long-term vision that North Dakota has for its energy and agricultural sectors. We are confident that our efforts will contribute positively to North Dakota’s future, and we’re excited to be part of this journey.”
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Summit Carbon Solutions is driving the future of agriculture by expanding economic opportunities for ethanol producers, strengthening the marketplace for Midwest-based farmers, and creating jobs. In developing the largest carbon capture and storage project in the world, the company seeks to connect industrial facilities via strategic infrastructure to store carbon dioxide safely and permanently in the Midwest United States. More information, visit: www.SummitCarbonSolutions.com.
I’m at the Brookings County GOP picnic tonight where State Representative Fred Deutsch announced he will be a candidate for State Senate in District 4, running against State Representative Stephanie Sauder for the seat being vacated by State Senator (and State GOP chair) John Wiik.
Another marquee primary coming for June 2024. Stay tuned.
Given its location in the largest county in the state, in the heart of South Dakota’s largest metropolitan area, the biggest county fair in the entire state of South Dakota is the Sioux Empire Fair, with annual attendance over the week-long exposition running between 250,000 – 300,000 people who show up for exhibitions, concerts, carnival entertainment, and to walk through the buildings.
So, why am I hearing that when more than one elected Republican went through the commercial building looking for it, they were left wondering why there wasn’t a Minnehaha County GOP booth?
Did the Minnehaha County GOP actually skip the Sioux Empire Fair? It sure looks that way.
If that’s the case, that’s a shocker, even for the new leadership model of the Minnehaha County Republican Party, where yard sales are important, but the Sioux Empire Fair with 300,000 warm bodies passing through isn’t?
I know that it would be the first time in my 35 years of involvement that they didn’t have a fair booth. And I would bet it goes back much farther than that.
I thought Minnehaha GOP Chair R. Shawn Tornow’s argument to overthrow and take over the party was that the former group didn’t do things such as holding a Lincoln Day Dinner.
Well, staying home in your easy chair when potentially a quarter-million people might walk by your booth and want to talk or learn more in reference to what the GOP is about is not really anyone’s definition of doing a thing that I’m aware of.
I did catch this item from Minnehaha County Republican’s Facebook page on August 4, the day the fair began:
They posted a picture of a fair on Facebook. In lieu of actually interfacing with people at the fair.
I guess that’s what they consider a thing.
Not that it will get anyone to vote.
After the North Dakota utilities regulator hit the pause button on their approval of the Summit Carbon sequestration pipeline project, the CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions sent a letter to North Dakota newspapers noting that the project will continue to move forward as they address the concerns raised in the North Dakota application process.
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A Letter from the CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions
To the People of North Dakota,
I’m writing to you as the CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions to share some updates and our commitment to your great state. First off, a big thank you to the landowners who have shown trust in us. Because of you, we’ve secured 80% voluntary easements along the North Dakota pipeline route.
Now, we’ve heard the feedback from the North Dakota Public Service Commission, including concerns with respect to the pipeline location around Bismarck. We’re looking at our plans again and will address those issues in our application, including reroutes. We want to get this right for everyone involved and will reconsider those parts of our pipeline permit. Our goal is simple: to work together, understand everyone’s concerns, and make sure our project fits well with what North Dakota wants for its future, especially in areas like energy and agriculture.
Our ties in North Dakota are growing. We’ve partnered with the great North Dakota company, Minnkota Power, to have access to their sequestration site if necessary. With partnerships in 34 Midwest ethanol plants, we’re looking at a big investment here – to the tune of $900 million.
That means:
I’m also happy to say we’ve secured almost 90% of the space we need for our own sequestration sites in North Dakota. In simple terms, that’s a big step forward for our project.
I want you all to know that Summit Carbon Solutions is here for the long haul. We’re excited about what’s ahead and truly believe that together, we’ll make a positive difference for North Dakota.
Thanks for your trust, and we look forward to a bright future together!
Best,
Lee Blank
CEO, Summit Carbon Solutions
What tends to be downplayed by the opponents of those working for the future of ethanol is that a strong majority of those along the pipeline route have signed voluntary easements.
As noted in North Dakota, it’s about 80%, and in South Dakota, it was recently reported 70% of those along the pipeline route voluntarily signing easements. (Update – 75%)
Stay tuned for more coming on this, as the project continues to move forward with the approval of a strong majority.
Former State Senator Jordan Youngberg seems to be increasing speculation on whether he’s going to be getting into the D25 State Senate race against incumbent Tom Pischke with his latest Facebook post:
Given Senator Pischke’s most notable activity of the last legislative session was either getting kicked out of the Republican caucus, or his unsuccessful, and somewhat crackpot demand for his fellow senators be arrested, Youngberg is likely going to have a lot of support if he decides to pull the trigger in this race.
