SOUTH DAKOTA

Referendum set for carbon dioxide pipeline law

After years spent trying to gain regulatory approval for a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline intended to snake through the Midwest, the effort could be complicated even further if South Dakota voters reject a law passed by the Legislature that pipeline opponents say is an attempt to squelch local control and speed approval of the pipeline.

State officials have validated the referendum for the Nov. 5 general election, enabling voters to decide whether to reject a package of regulations approved by the legislature earlier this year. Pipeline opponents argue the regulations would strip county officials of the ability to pass stringent rules that can all but ban such pipelines, while legislative leaders say they intended to add requirements to help landowners even as they limited the role of county governments.

Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions has proposed the $5.5 billion, 2,500-mile pipeline network that would carry planet-warming emissions from more than 50 ethanol plants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to be sent deep underground in North Dakota.

Colorado proposal would reverse major business concessions in new manufacturing emissions rules

Summit has faced opposition and setbacks throughout the Midwest. But North Dakota regulators are reconsidering an earlier denial of a permit, and last month the Iowa Utilities Commission gave conditional approval to Summit. Last year, South Dakota regulators denied Summit’s application for a permit, but company officials have said they will file another application this summer.

While supporters have called the law a “landowners bill of rights,” Republican state Rep. Karla Lems opposed the legislation, calling it “the pipeline bill of rights.” She said the law sets the stage for other companies like Summit and future solar and wind projects to roll through, unhindered by local concerns.

KANSAS

Federal judge refuses to block rule on gun sales

TOPEKA — A federal judge in Kansas has refused to block the nationwide enforcement of a Biden administration rule requiring firearms dealers to do background checks of buyers at gun shows, leaving Texas as the only state so far where a legal challenge has succeeded.

U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse’s ruling came in a lawsuit brought by Kansas and 19 other states, three individual gun collectors and a Wichita, Kansas-based association for collectors. They sought an order preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from enforcing the rule that took effect in May.

The rule is an attempt to close a loophole allowing tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers without checks to see whether buyers are legally prohibited from having firearms. It applies not only to gun shows but also to other places outside brick-and-mortar firearms stores.

Attempt to ban 'assault weapons' in Colorado fails for second consecutive year

Critics contend the new rule violates gun rights protected by the Second Amendment and that Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration doesn’t have the legal authority to issue it. They also argue that the rule will depress gun sales, making firearms less available to collectors and costing states tax revenues.

But Crouse, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, said in his ruling on July 10 that predictions of harm to the states, gun collectors and groups are too speculative and create doubts that they actually have grounds to sue.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said in a statement that he expects the rule ultimately to be struck down.

“This is a very early stage in a case that is likely to continue for a long time unless President Trump is elected and immediately rescinds the rule,” Kobach said.

WYOMING

Bills would set separate deer hunting seasons

CHEYENNE — Bill drafts that increase hunting license fees and separate hunting seasons for whitetail and mule deer are on their way to the 2025 general session.

Members of the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee advanced draft bills titled “Mule and whitetail deer-separate hunting seasons,” and “Hunting License application fees increase,” during their July 9 meeting in Casper.

The severe 2022-23 winter storm negatively impacted Wyoming’s mule deer population, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Wildlife biologists estimate there are currently 11,000 mule deer in the Wyoming Range herd, which is a “considerable decline” from the estimated 30,000 mule deer in the herd in February 2023.

There are currently 216,000 mule deer statewide, according to Game and Fish, compared to 242,000 a year ago.

Now a pack: Colorado confirms birth of first gray wolf pup since reintroduction

Currently, hunters can buy a general deer license from the department that allows them to hunt both mule and whitetail deer. There are also limited quota licenses available to hunt only whitetail deer.

Another draft bill allows the commission to increase hunting application fees for Wyoming residents from $5 to $20, and nonresidents from $15 to $75. The application fee hasn’t increased since it was established in 1980, while inflation has quadrupled costs since then.

Both bills will be considered during the 2025 general session, which will begin in January.

New 150-megawatt solar farm opens

CHEYENNE — A year ago, a piece of land in southern Laramie County, off U.S. Highway 85, sat barren and looked like most undeveloped land in the area. Now, it is home to more than 315,500 solar panel modules that generate 150 megawatts of energy that will be sold to Microsoft.

Managed by Southern Power, the company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the state’s newest solar farm that more than doubles Wyoming’s solar energy production. Southern Power acquired the project from Hanwha Qcells, a major South Korean solar panel manufacturer, in September 2023.

The energy will be transferred to Microsoft over a 20-year contract between Southern Power, Black Hills Energy and Microsoft. In this contract, Southern Power produces the power and sells it to Black Hills Energy, which will then sell it to Microsoft.

Gov. Jared Polis signs bills on renewable energy, mental health professional requirements

Like most modern solar farms, this one is optimized for efficiency. The modules tilt toward the sun based on the intensity of the sun. This information is recorded and stored to calculate the most efficient times to tilt each module, depending on the time of day and day of the year. They also tilt to avoid adverse weather conditions.

The energy is then sent down a 2.5-mile transition line directly to Black Hills’ switchyard, where it is then sent to Black Hills customers.


NEBRASKA

Regent suggests putting fans’ ashes under football field

LINCOLN — A University of Nebraska regent has proposed a way for lifelong Cornhusker fans to carry their support into the afterlife.

When Memorial Stadium undergoes its next renovation, Regent Barbara Weitz of Omaha suggested building a columbarium under the football field where departed fans can have their ashes inurned.

The idea might be dead on arrival. Her fellow regents laughed at the proposal at a recent meeting.

The passion of fans makes sports-themed columbariums a natural, said Colm Hannon, founder of an Ireland-based business that creates sports-themed fan memorials in Europe.

With CU Buffs on America's spotlight, Polis, Neguse tout universities' economic contributions

UPWeitz’s proposal calls for construction of a columbarium to coincide with the replacement of the stadium playing surface, whenever that happens. A special entrance would allow fans to visit the niches of loved ones on game days.

Regent Paul Kenney of Kearney said he found Weitz’s proposal “somewhat entertaining” but impractical. He said her idea is “not in my top 1,000” for possible budget solutions.

Regent Jack Stark of Omaha, the Huskers’ team psychologist from 1989-2004, said over the years he has had people tell him a loved one had died and their dying wish was to have their ashes sprinkled on the field.

“I do think there would be a market for it,” Stark said, “because a lot of people follow the Huskers and love them.”

Tribes honor birth of rare white buffalo calf, reveal its name: Wakan Gli | OUT WEST ROUNDUP

Utah project marks big boost for electricity made from the heat of the Earth | OUT WEST ROUNDUP

FBI seeks suspects in New Mexico wildfires that killed 2, forced thousands to flee | OUT WEST ROUNDUP