Why We United

We are South Dakotans. We live, love, work, and raise families on South Dakota soil and in South Dakota communities. Our lives were upended over two years ago when we found out that our communities were in the crosshairs of a project we had never even heard of – a hazardous carbon dioxide pipeline.

From the beginning the threat of eminent domain was held over our heads – intended to cause us to quickly sign easements. Yet instead of being pressured alone, we banded together to look deep into the potential risks, benefits, and long term impacts of these projects. More than anything, we wanted to ensure that the public good and safety would not be sacrificed in the name of economic development.

As a result of our fact finding and front-line experiences, we feel the urgent need to share what we have found, since the potential impacts go far beyond our own backyards. These novel projects are infringing on the rights of South Dakotans and threatening the safety of our families, communities, land and livestock.

We cannot stand for the stripping of local control and decision-making from counties, cities and townships just because it is inconvenient for private companies, and we fear for the precedent these projects will set for future corporate exploitation of our lands and people.

We are just like you.

We have spent countless hours advocating for local zoning ordinances, participating in PUC permitting hearings, and educating elected officials about the full impact of these projects. It has not always been comfortable or easy, but we believe the impact and precedent of these projects are just too important for us to back down.

We are working for a South Dakota where people have the right to give consent – or to say no, thank you; where local government is championed and protected – not just when corporations approve of its decisions; and where our elected officials do not allow the siren song of ‘economic development’ to keep them from doing what is right.