Governor Kristi Noem finds herself under scrutiny due to her investments in the ethanol industry and connections to a carbon dioxide pipeline project. Financial disclosures reveal that Noem, and her husband are investors in Granite Falls Energy, an ethanol plant in Minnesota, which is partnered with Summit Carbon Solutions, the company proposing a carbon pipeline through South Dakota. These revelations have prompted questions about Noem's support for anti-pipeline legislation and her response to landowners' concerns.
Noem's financial disclosures show that she received dividends from Granite Falls Energy during her time in Congress. While her spokesperson defends her investments and asserts her support for the ethanol industry, Ed Fischbach, an affected farmer, criticizes her lack of engagement with landowners and opposition to the anti-pipeline bill.
Summit Carbon Solutions' multi-billion-dollar project aims to capture and transport carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants for underground sequestration. The pipeline's implementation would potentially allow ethanol producers to sell their products in regions with stricter emissions standards and qualify for federal incentive payments.
Noem's involvement in carbon pipeline policymaking, including signing a bill establishing taxes for carbon dioxide pipelines, has attracted attention. However, she has faced accusations of failing to adequately protect landowners' property rights from eminent domain. Landowners claim that Noem's office did not address their concerns and even lobbied against the anti-pipeline bill.
The controversy surrounding Noem deepens as her financial connections to the ethanol industry and Summit Carbon Solutions come to light. Accountable.US, a watchdog group, questions whether her personal investments influence her actions, demanding transparency regarding potential conflicts of interest. Landowners and their allies call for stronger support and legislative measures to protect their rights.
Source : wisconsinagconnection