By Dave Baumeister, County Correspondent
SIOUX FALLS – “No eminent domain for private gain” was the slogan repeated by Minnehaha County Commissioner Jeff Barth several times at a press conference called last Thursday, July 28, at the downtown public library.
While Barth is retiring from the commission after serving four terms (16 years), he is not leaving the political arena.
He was named the Democratic candidate for Public Utilities Commission at their state convention on July 8 in Ft. Pierre, but this was his first announcement made alongside other Democratic candidates for statewide office.
Barth, a 31-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, has been very vocal in his opposition to the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, which would run through eastern South Dakota from Iowa, collecting the carbon dioxide by-product from ethanol plants, to its final destination in central North Dakota, where the CO2 would be injected into the ground, according to the plan presented to the current Public Utilities Commission at a meeting in Sioux Falls last spring.
On July 28, Barth was quick to connect the dots from the state’s Republican Party to the pipeline by way of their Summit Carbon’s spokesperson Dan Lederman, who also happens to be the chairman of the South Dakota Republican party.
“The (current) PUC has already made up its mind,” Barth said, about that group’s perceived support of the pipeline.
Referring to his Republican opponent, Public Utilities incumbent Chris Nelson, Barth said, “Nelson says ‘we have no choice but to approve any project that has checked all the boxes.’
“That reminds me of Pontious Pilate.”
He continued: “When the PUC approves a pipeline, they (the companies) have the right to seize land. And after three years, if the pipeline leaks, it is the landowner’s responsibility.
“No eminent domain for public gain!”
But most of Barth’s criticisms were leveled toward Lederman’s connection with Summit and South Dakota Republicans.
“The (South Dakota) Republican Party now represents a pipeline company,” Barth opined. “I know that is not true of all of my Republican friends.”
“Lederman, who wears shirts boldly emblazoned with ‘Summit Carbon Solutions,’ already sold out.
“I’d like to know how much Dan Lederman is getting paid. How much is he passing on to other candidates and legislators? Tell us, Dan,” Barth said.
“When you vote, you need to check the box, too, with Barth for PUC.”
At several Minnehaha County Commission meetings, as well as a PUC meeting held in Sioux Falls and around the state, hundreds of landowners have spoken out on what they say are dangers and problems of the CO2 pipeline.
Other Democratic candidates speaking at the meeting were Tom Cool, secretary of state; John Cunningham, state treasurer; Stephanie Mary, state auditor; and Tom Holmes, Minnehaha County Commission.
