The Public Service Commission has scheduled three public hearings on a significant oil pipeline project.
The Sandpiper Pipeline, proposed by Enbridge, would be a 24 inch line which would run along the US Highway Two corridor from the Bakken to Superior, Wisconsin. The cost would be $2.6 billion. North Dakota’s share would be $1.3 billion, and it would run 299 miles across the northern part of the state. It would cross the Souris and Red Rivers, and would be close to Devils Lake.
Commissioner Randy Christmann says the pipeline will carry more than 200,000 barrels of oil each day.
"For perspective, if that were in existance right now, with our current production, about a quarter of all of our oil could go out in just this one pipeline," Christmann said.
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak says she’s happy to see this proposal – even though most of the state’s crude is being shipped out of state by rail.
"There are some real benefits by transmitting oil by pipeline versus above ground," said Fedorchak. "I'm really pleased to see this."
The hearings will be held in Grand Forks, at UND, February 19th; Devils Lake, at Lake Region State College, February 20th; and Minot, in the City Council chambers, February 27th.
