25.738.23 100th Legislative Session SCR606
2025 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Concurrent Resolution 606
Introduced by: Senator Nelson
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, Expressing the Legislature's concern about the 1
potential for a carbon oxide pipeline to become a weapon of mass destruction 2
to be used by terrorists or unfriendly governments and urging the Public 3
Utilities Commission to conduct risk assessments and establish stronger 4
regulatory and security measures for carbon oxide pipelines to ensure 5
adequate state, county, business, and family emergency response planning. 6
WHEREAS, the development and expansion of carbon oxide pipelines have increased 7
significantly across the United States to accommodate carbon capture and sequestration 8
projects; and 9
WHEREAS, carbon oxide pipelines are vulnerable to cyberattacks, sabotage, and terrorist 10
attacks targeting energy and other infrastructure to inflict mass casualties or disrupt 11
economies; and 12
WHEREAS, pipelines transporting hazardous substances, including carbon oxide, are 13
attractive targets for terrorists due to the potential to cause widespread damage and loss of 14
life; and 15
WHEREAS, carbon oxide pipelines pose unique dangers due to the asphyxiating properties 16
of carbon oxide for instance, which is a dense, odorless, and colorless gas that can settle in 17
low-lying areas and displace oxygen; and 18
WHEREAS, a breach or targeted attack of a carbon oxide pipeline could result in a rapid 19
and catastrophic release of carbon oxide, potentially leading to mass asphyxiation in nearby 20
communities and creating a weapon of mass destruction scenario; and 21
WHEREAS, there is insufficient federal oversight and regulation of carbon oxide pipelines, 22
including gaps in emergency response planning, pipeline material standards, and public 23
awareness of the risks posed by carbon oxide pipelines; and 24 25.738.23 2 SCR606
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
WHEREAS, there is a need for heightened awareness, enhanced regulatory measures, and 1
comprehensive security protocols to mitigate the risks associated with carbon oxide pipelines 2
and to protect public safety; and 3
WHEREAS, families and businesses in South Dakota have a right to information about the 4
risks posed to them by carbon oxide pipelines so that they are able to prepare family and 5
business shelter in place and/or evacuation plans in the event of a terrorist or accidental 6
release of carbon oxide, such that the public's need for information must be balanced against 7
the need to prevent terrorists from acquiring information that would substantially facilitate 8
acts of terrorism; and 9
WHEREAS, South Dakota's counties have a duty to protect individuals, families, and 10
businesses from the risks created by carbon through wise land use permitting that avoids 11
creating risks of mass-casualty events and minimizes risks to families and businesses, and 12
through robust interagency emergency response planning, and such permitting and planning 13
requires access to carbon oxide pipeline safety-related risk information; 14
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the One 15
Hundredth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the Senate concurring therein, that the 16
Legislature expresses its deep concern to the Public Utilities Commission about the potential 17
for carbon oxide pipelines to be exploited as weapons of mass destruction by terrorist groups 18
or hostile governments, posing significant threats to public safety, critical infrastructure, and 19
state and national security; and 20
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature urges the Public Utilities Commission to 21
conduct comprehensive risk assessments of carbon oxide pipelines and establish stronger 22
regulatory and security measures to prevent the use of carbon oxide pipelines as weapons of 23
mass destruction, taking into account the need for safety -related information by county 24
zoning departments, emergency response agencies, businesses, families, and individuals. 25