Federal pipeline provision dropped, opponents say

A coalition opposing a multi-state carbon dioxide pipeline said the U.S. House removed language from the budget reconciliation bill that would have allowed federal regulators to override state laws restricting pipeline approvals, according to reporting by South Dakota Searchlight.

South Dakota passed a law this year banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines. The $9 billion Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would transport ethanol-plant carbon emissions to a sequestration site in North Dakota, requires eminent domain and has faced two permit rejections from South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission.

Opponents remain concerned about a “fast-track” provision that would let pipeline operators pay $10 million for expedited federal environmental reviews, although that review is not required for the Summit pipeline, South Dakota Searchlight reported.