Heated Debate Continues Between Navigator CO2, Landowners And Lawmakers

(Brookings, SD) — The heated debate marches onward between Navigator CO2, landowners and state lawmakers. Navigator Pipelines representative Elizabeth Burns-Thompson spoke Tuesday in favor of the pipelines, pointing to the claims of financial benefits and more stability for ethanol plants. Republican State Rep. Jon Hansen from Dell Rapids, who opposes the deal, pointed out safety concerns and what he believes to be a lack of information due to the withholding of models that depict what a breach in the pipeline could look like. While Burns-Thompson brought words of reassurance regarding pipeline safety, Hansen notes he believes states like California are applying pressure for CO2 pipelines to be located elsewhere because of the environmental risk.