North Dakota commissioners say counties won’t be able to restrict Summit Carbon pipeline

The Ames-based company that wants to build a $5.5 billion carbon capture pipeline across Iowa and neighboring states got a boost as North Dakota regulators signaled cities and counties there will be unable to impose local restrictions on pipelines tougher than those the state already has in place.

Randy Christmann, chair of the North Dakota Public Service Commission, said during a work session Friday that North Dakota law makes it clear a state-issued permit for the construction of a pipeline “supersedes and preempts any local land use or zoning regulation.”

“I understand that this is not likely to be a popular decision,” said Christmann, acknowledging public opposition to the Summit Carbon Solutions project.

Christmann said he had drafted an order to implement the decision, although it could change or be amended. Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart and Timothy Dawson, a substitute commissioner, said they concur with Christmann.

The order isn’t available to the public, since it’s still a draft, said Stacy Eberl, an agency spokeswoman.

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