North Dakota Court, PSC Review Landowner Dispute and Regulations on CO2 Pipeline Project
Supreme Court Hearing (Dec. 18): The North Dakota Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an appeal case brought by landowners against Summit Carbon Solutions. These landowners had refused to grant the company access to their property for surveying purposes. The landowners were represented by the North Dakota Easement Team and attorney Brian Jorde from the Domina Law Group. A judgment from the Supreme Court is anticipated in early 2024.
Informational Meeting (Dec. 20): An informational meeting was held at Bismarck State College's National Energy Center of Excellence. Governor Doug Burgum presented at the event, which was organized by the new group "Friends of Ag and Energy". The meeting aimed to foster dialogue on CO2 pipelines, with a focus on landowner concerns. Attendees had the opportunity to submit questions to a panel, with unanswered questions promised to be addressed on the group's website.
Public Service Commission Hearing (Dec. 21): The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) held a hearing to discuss whether county ordinances on CO2 pipelines should be overridden by the PSC's authority. The hearing, which took place in a packed room at the State Capitol, featured oral arguments from attorneys on this matter. The PSC is set to announce their decision in the coming weeks.
Statement from Summit Carbon Solutions: Following the PSC hearing, Summit’s representative Sabrina Zenor released a statement thanking the PSC for reviewing their proposed infrastructure project. Zenor highlighted that Summit has already secured voluntary agreements for 80% of the pipeline route and expressed eagerness to continue the regulatory process.
These events highlight the ongoing complexities and community involvement surrounding the development of CO2 pipeline infrastructure in North Dakota.
More on Friends of Ag and Industry:
This North Dakota organization is focused on advancing the agriculture and energy sectors through innovative solutions, particularly in the management and utilization of CO2. They champion the belief that managing a small percentage of man-made carbon can significantly benefit North Dakota's key industries such as ag ethanol, oil & gas, and coal. This initiative is underpinned by the geology of North Dakota, which allows for the safe and permanent storage of captured CO2 in deep rock layers. The technology for this process has been proven over decades in various locations, including Texas, Saskatchewan, and Minot, with the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota being a pioneer in this field.
The organization highlights the safety and efficiency of underground pipelines in North Dakota, noting that the state already has a substantial network of these pipelines operating without incident. This infrastructure includes CO2 pipelines that have been functioning safely for years. Friends of Ag and Energy emphasizes the importance of respectful debate and the upholding of private property rights in the development of their projects. They note a high level of landowner agreement for the use of land in these projects, while also respecting those who have yet to agree and seeking to address their concerns.
