North Dakota Senate rejects bill that would likely impact Summit Carbon Solutions eminent domain abilities

The North Dakota Senate rejected a bill that was meant to stop Summit Carbon Solutions from being able to use eminent domain in its construction of a new pipeline. The bill would remove “common carrier” status from the CO2 pipelines.

Supporters of the bill believed this would stop any effort towards eminent domain. Summit Carbon Solutions says it has easement agreements with most North Dakota landowners along the pipeline route.

“Landowners in North Dakota should be able to negotiate contracts without fear of eminent domain hanging over their heads,” Senator Jeffrey Marum said.

In response, the opposing senator Greg Kessel said the CO2 projects reached agreement with over 93% of the landowners in the impacted area.