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S. Dakotans back refinery, oil pipeline poll says
May 2, 2008

Melanie Brandert
mbrander@argusleader.com

Argus Leader

A Dakota Wesleyan University poll shows that a majority of South Dakotans support the TransCanada pipeline and a new oil refinery.

DWU's McGovern Center for Leadership and Public Service found that 66 percent of 270 South Dakotans support the pipeline. Meanwhile, 69 percent support the refinery. A new refinery is proposed near Elk Point.

Seventy percent and 84 percent of 260 North Dakotans advocate the pipeline and a new refinery there, respectively.

The poll, which has a plus or minus 4 percent margin of error, appears to lend some measure of standing to both projects.

The results are similar to TransCanada's experiences in both states, project representative Jeff Rauh said.

"The Keystone project is underscoring the need to deliver oil to meet U.S. demand," he said.

Don Simmons, McGovern Center director, said the pipeline and refineries were chosen because TransCanada is going through both states. Aside from Hyperion's potential refinery, North Dakota lawmakers are considering a refinery with a tribe, he said.

About 120 of 267 South Dakotans identified the economy or gas prices as the most important problems facing the nation.

Simmons said many who responded to the poll expressed frustration about fuel costs and hope the projects bring relief.

"Many think the gas pipeline will help with the cost of gas, even if it may take several years before it's constructed," he said.

Hyperion spokesman Eric Williams said the poll tracks close to the company's poll conducted last July. That poll showed 71 percent of 400 residents in Union County and seven neighboring counties favored the refinery.

"It's very much in line with what we had done," he said. "Adding to that (oil) capacity can only help out supply."

Jason Quam of Citizens Opposed to Oil Pollution said a statewide poll has no bearing on what will happen in Union County.

"Our residents are the ones who are most educated as to the negative impacts of a refinery," he said.

The poll doesn't change the fact that Hyperion must seek the creation of a federal program to fund the refinery's construction, Quam said.

"When oil companies are experiencing record profits, I don't think the people of South Dakota would approve of their tax dollars paying for the construction of Hyperion's refinery," he said.

JB Mercer, Citizens for Hyperion chairman, said poll results indicate that South Dakotans understand the nation needs more energy options.

"In order for our country to prosper and our citizens to prosper, we need to have a ready supply of energy," he said. "Ground and air transportation drive our economy. While building a refinery in of itself does not necessarily drop the price of gas, increasing the supply will."

The poll also showed that of those who identified the economy as the most vital problem, 69 percent approve of the refinery, with 65 percent favoring the pipeline.

Mercer said he thought most of those people were considering the refinery's economic impact as Hyperion aims to bring at least 1,800 jobs to that area.