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Governor Rounds Appoints Underground Pipeline Task Force
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds today announced appointments to a new seven-person South Dakota Underground Pipeline Task Force, which was authorized in SB 190 by the 2008 Legislature. The task force was created to review the status of existing and proposed pipelines in South Dakota and assess the adequacy of state laws and regulations relating to those pipelines.
“South Dakota is in a pivotal position to help ease America’s energy crisis, and we need to do it right,” said Gov. Rounds. “That means making sure we have in place the requirements necessary to protect our soils, water resources, private property rights, and the environment. This task force will help us complete that review for pipeline projects.”
New energy developments within the state that include pipelines include proposals for two crude oil pipelines to cross the state from north to south and an oil refinery near Elk Point. However, SB 190 does not limit the study to just crude oil pipelines. Instead, the task force members must be knowledgeable of existing state and federal laws that govern underground pipeline facilities for the transmission and distribution of water, natural gas, ethanol, and refined petroleum products as well.
Appointed to the task force are:
Gary Hanson, Pierre, commissioner, Public Utilities Commission, task force chairman;
Dennis Davis, Sioux Falls, executive director, Association of Rural Water Systems, representing water pipelines;
Gordon Woods, Pierre, vice president and Chief Operations Officer, South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company, representing natural gas pipelines;
Daniel Holli, Belfield, North Dakota, environmental and regulatory specialist, Plains Pipeline, which is the only currently operating crude oil pipeline in South Dakota;
Pete Bullene, Watertown, environmental health and safety director, Glacial Lakes Energy, representing ethanol;
Troy Styer, Wolsey, president, South Dakota Pipeline Association, representing refined petroleum pipelines; and
Mark Anderson, Sioux Falls, president, South Dakota AFL-CIO, representing public at large.
The task force will be staffed by Brian Walsh, Hydrology Specialist in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. SB 190 requires the task force to report its findings to Gov. Rounds by Dec. 1.
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