Supporters say ‘compromise’ protects counties, doesn’t scuttle development
A bill limiting the right of counties to regulate pipeline setbacks advanced out of a state Senate committee on Thursday morning.
Senate Bill 201 would bar counties from enacting local zoning rules strict enough to regulate gas or liquid pipelines out of existence, but would also allow counties to levy a per-foot surcharge on pipeline companies and codify certain landowner protections for things like disrupted drain tile.
The bill passed the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee on a 7-2 vote, taken before a packed house of supporters and opponents, the latter of whom applauded loudly enough after one round of testimony to cause the chair to call for order.
Read the full story here: https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2024/02/15/senate-panel-moves-to-limit-local-authority-in-pipeline-regulation/