KXL Water Permit Pre-Hearings a Mixed Success

The Water Management Board of the South Dakota Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) met on May 8th in Pierre to consider scheduling questions and a limited number of motions regarding permits for the taking of public waters by … Continued

DRA Weekly Legislative Update

From Intro to Passage in Less Than 72 House: Governor’s Anti-Protest Bills Pass Both Houses Thursday Rumors swirled about pipeline-related legislation for weeks, but it was not until Monday morning of last full week of session (and far past the … Continued

DRA Statement on Passage of Anti-Protest Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2019 Contact: John Harter, DRA Board Chair, johnharter11@yahoo.com, (605) 840-9478 Rebecca Terk, DRA Organizer & Lobbyist, rebeccat@dakotarural.org, (605) 697-5204 x260 Frank James, DRA Director, fejames@dakotarural.org, (605) 697-5204 x240 Anti-Free Speech Bills a Rush Job for … Continued

DRA Weekly Legislative Update

Crossover Day Has Come & Gone–Less Than Two Weeks Remain Crossover Day–the day that all bills must make it through Committees and Houses of origin–was on Monday of this week, and now legislation that has survived its initial test will … Continued

Floor Debate on Permitting Shows Power of Public Input

Today’s Senate Floor discussion on Senate Bill 15–and the maneuvers leading up to that vote–are a prime example of how lawmakers, industry, and state agencies block citizens from engaging in the process, yet claim citizens are “ignorant” when they voice … Continued

DRA Weekly Legislative Update

Last-Minute PUC Hoghouse Removes Public Hearings from Permitting CALL-EMAIL-CONTACT SENATORS ASAP Senate Bill 15 started out as a simple proposed change in the timeline for wind energy facility permitting from six months to one year. After intense opposition from corporate … Continued