North Dakota court ruling keeps CO2 pipeline permit alive but forces new review of county zoning and public safety data

A North Dakota judge ruled that state approval of Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline does not automatically erase county zoning authority. The permit stays in place while regulators redo parts of the review, including whether redacted plume model data should be public and whether an alternative route was properly examined. The court also ordered the Public Service Commission to decide if Emmons and Burleigh county setback rules are unreasonable. If they are, state requirements would apply instead. The project still lacks a South Dakota permit, and the state's underground storage law was ruled unconstitutional. A Wyoming backup storage option may keep the overall plan moving.