Senate Bill 201, which would provide new statutory requirements for regulating linear transmission facilities, and to allow counties to impose a surcharge on certain pipeline companies brought by Senate Majority Leader Senator Casey Crabtree, House Majority Leader Representative Will Mortenson, and Rep. Drew Peterson passed out of the House Commerce and Energy Committee this morning after extensive testimony and a failed attempt to send it to the 41st day. The bill went out of committee with a Do Pass motion instead on a 8-5 vote (about 61.5% in favor, and 38% opposed)
SB 201, which was brought forth by House & Senate Leadership as a compromise measure to address concerns on both sides of the issue had previously passed the Senate on a 23-11 vote, with about 31% opposed, and now after passage finds itself facing the last hurdle of the House Floor before going to the Governor.
Good work by the sponsors and all who voted in favor of it to bring the matter to a compromise solution, so we can argue about something else next year.
So, the compromise is that a county can charge a pipeline company $75K (anticipated max) a year if they claim a tax credit? They still get to steal the landowners land by force and sell at market value?
It is also funny how the state was so “hands off” during the meandered water law days, and they allowed counties to do whatever they see fit to make the land owners happy. Now, someone shows up with deeper pockets and we get a “compromise”, sorry landowners, you let government in, they never get out.
The difference is meandering waters is not a federal project like this is. Localities should follow decisions made at the state level or they risk lawsuits for enacting illegal setbacks. The state is protecting the taxpayers by making sure their local officials don’t engage in illegal activity that we will ultimately pay for when the lawsuits are lost. Look to Iowa for the exact example. 2 judges have already ruled against the taxpayers and they will end up paying Summitt because of it. This also isn’t stealing land, it is just an easement so they can continue farming that land just like any other pipeline.
Setbacks are a minor issue in the overall scheme of this, it was one method to reduce the forceful taking of land (eminent domain) which is the root of this issue. The state is NOT protecting taxpayers, what kind of double-speak crap is that, you sound like a legislator. If the state were to protect taxpayers they would share the stance that if you as a taxpayer own something, it is yours, and the state won’t forcefully take it to make their donors money at your expense. If you are worried about paying for lawsuits, you would not pass 75% of the ALEC written legislation that gets passed each session and challenged and we lose, that point is moot. If you wanted less taxes, you wouldn’t keep voting for the SD GOP people who spend like crazy and fight like hell to stop legislation to cap taxes.
If we have learned anything from Trump, it is tie them up in court, make them fight if they want it so bad. I think all of us “taxpayers” would much rather fund the fight than another new prison, fireworks show, or Texas NG publicity deployment. Also, you can claim it is “just an easement” but it is a forceful taking, by the government, of your asset, to convert it for a private use.
Another example of “Freedom” being false advertising in South Dakota. Landowners cannot protect their investment and well being with this boondoggle. They are getting steamrolled by moneyed interests.
This is not a comprise it is legalizing the taking of rights of citizens and local governments to determining what is appropriate for them. This is not critical or necessary infrastructure it is the grab of money from the woke CO2 boondoggle..Concentrated pressurized CO2 is a dangerous thing. See article below.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gassing-satartia-mississippi-co2-pipeline_n_60ddea9fe4b0ddef8b0ddc8f
RD, WHAT rights of the citizens are being taken???
The 5th amendment to the US Constitution says when it comes to private property, you get due process and just compensation.
Are the citizens prevented from taking their issue to court? Are they being denied compensation?
The use of eminent domain for transportation has been with us for over 100 years, used for railroads, canals, highways, utilities, gas, oil, telecommunications, and waste, like sewage and CO2. so