April 7, 2022
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in special session on April 7, 2022 in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Kari Jo Carlson, Kathy Faber, Tom Reisch and Joe Bechen. Absent: none. The flag pledge was recited. Tami Severson, Ron Krempges, Rebecca Mommaerts, Kent Terwilliger and many members of the public were also present for the meeting. Motion by Carlson, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the agenda.
No persons appeared for Public Comment.
Chairman Protsch opened the meeting explaining the reason for the special meeting. The Board of Commissioners will be acting on the SD Public Utilities Commission’s Application for Party Status in the matter of the application by SCS Carbon Transport, LLC for a permit to construct a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline. The other purpose of the meeting is to receive comments from the public on their views of the proposed pipeline.
Planning & Zoning Director Tami Severson explained that current Miner County zoning does not regulate pipelines, therefore no county zoning permits will be required for the construction of this pipeline.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges gave a listing of the permits that his department will require: road right of way applications to place utilities within the right of way; road haul agreements; overweight permits.
The application and the maps of the proposed route were made available at the meeting. Those in attendance were informed that those documents are available for public viewing during regular business hours in the office of the Miner County auditor.
Protsch opened the meeting for public comments. Max Schwader asked about the tax revenue that may be received by the taxing entities within Miner County. Auditor Connor gave a brief overview of how the valuations for centrally assessed properties are received from the SD Dept. of Revenue and how those values are used to calculate the levies for those entities.
Several individuals stated they currently have the Dakota Access Pipeline running across their properties. Martin Connor stated that the land has not be returned to its original condition from the construction of the Dakota Access. Other comments from the PUC meetings that were attended: there are new technologies developed every day and there are other ways to deal with the carbon capture but the company didn’t want to discuss it; and there is a belief that many government dollars are being used to construct this carbon transfer pipeline.
Kent Terwilliger had no comment on the dangers associated with this type of pipeline and stated he had not attended any of the public meetings that have been held around the area.
Resident Randy Hofer stated the Dakota Access Pipeline is ¼ mile east of his home. Just last week members of the Carbon Transport survey crew were just west of his house surveying and now want to move the route to within 200 yards of his house. He has concerns with it being that close to his home.
John Schwader asked if the county had received any information from Carbon Transport concerning this pipeline. Protsch explained by filing this application for Party Status, Miner County will be included in all matters through the PUC. As of this morning, nine counties have applied for Party Status.
There were questions on the hazards associated with this compressed CO2. The leak in Missouri was brought up where there was loss of life of first responders. From the public meeting that was held in DeSmet, it was stated that CO2 is 1.5 times heavier than oxygen. Concerns were voiced of the CO2 moving to lower levels of homes if a leak would occur in those areas. The company did state at the meeting that valves are in place to shut the pipeline down in areas if a leak should occur.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Kathy Faber and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Protsch to sign the application for Party Status in the matter of the application by SCS Carbon Transport, LLC for a permit to construct a carbon dioxide transmission pipeline and to instruct the auditor to submit the application to the SD Public Utilities Commission.
Protsch asked if there were any present that would like to speak in favor of the construction of the carbon transfer pipeline. Joe Schwader stated he came to the meeting to gain more information-not for or against. After listening to information given at this meeting he is questioning if the construction of the pipeline is a good idea. James Schwader stated the CO2 in the air is not killing any of us in its current state. But now they are taking that carbon and compressing it and making it super concentrated; it becomes an asphyxiant. If it leaks, it could kill people and livestock.
Protsch thanked those in attendance for coming to this special meeting. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Faber and carried to adjourn the meeting. The next meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be April 12th.
Dated this 7th day of April, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor