The North Dakota Public Service Commission will hold hearings on what PSC staff allege is violations of the siting permit issued to the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The hearings will deal with the company clearing more trees and shrubs than authorized, as well as a re-route of a section of the line without telling the PSC about the re-route.
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak said the potential violations were found by a third-party contractor, hired to inspect the pipeline's construction.
"The reason we have regulations regarding trees and shrubs is that they're hard to grow in North Dakota, especially in the west," Fedorchak said. "That's why the Commission cares about this, and has rules regarding it."
Fedorchak said staff wasn’t able to work out a consent agreement – so the matter will go to a hearing.
The company can be fined up to $10,000 a day for violations – with a $200,000 cap.
