South Dakota introduces pipeline construction legislation

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has proposed a pair of pipeline construction bills focusing on the safety and efficiency of the Keystone XL project, as well as other related endeavors.

“The legislative package will help ensure the Keystone XL pipeline and other future pipeline projects are built in a safe and efficient manner while protecting our state and counties from extraordinary law enforcement costs in the event of riots,” Noem said.

The legislation features two parts. The first includes the creation of the Pipeline Engagement Activity Coordination Expenses (PEACE) fund for the coordination of law enforcement expenditures, which includes a transparent process for fees and other funds to be collected through a variety of sources to pay for the costs associated with the pipeline construction incurred by the state and counties. The legislation would also create a fund and legal remedies to pursue out-of-state money funding the riots aiming to shut down the pipeline build.

“I support an all-of-the-above energy policy and that includes the ability to safely move energy resources to where they are needed but this national priority could become a flashpoint in my state,” Noem said. “This next-generation pipeline funding model was developed to directly address issues caused by out-of-state rioters funded by out-of-state interests that have attacked nearby projects. The current model for developing major energy infrastructure projects clearly needed an update.”