North Dakota regulators have approved the in-state route for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.
The proposed pipeline would span three states – and carry 600,000 barrels a day of Bakken crude. The North Dakota portion of the pipeline is 358 miles – and will cost $1.4 billion.
"This is a massive infrastructure project," said Public Service Commission chairman Julie Fedorchak. "It's extremely important to the long term future of North Dakota's oil industry. This project will take trucks off the road, and it will provide a safe alternative to crude by rail."
South Dakota has already approved the pipeline. Approval is pending in Iowa.
Fedorchak says a lot of work has gone into making sure the pipeline company did everything right for North Dakota.
"We had thorough review," said Fedorcahk. "It was totally transparent. There was broad public input. We listened. The company listened."
Fedorchak says because of that, the project is sound and safe.
The company paid $100,000 as an up front filing fee. That money goes toward the PSC’s work. Fedorchak says the company will be assessed another $100,000 – to be used to hire a third party to oversee pipeline construction – and make sure it’s done in compliance with the PSC’s order.
"In this case, $100,000 isn't enough for us to process the application -- for the hearings, the attorneys' fees, transportation," said Fedorchak. "And then there's the third party inspection contracts."
Commissioner Brian Kalk says this is the right call.
"I'd much rather have oil coming from the United States, rather than relying on countries overseas," said Kalk. "This is the right decision."
The third commissioner -- Randy Christmann -- recused himself from the vote. Christmann said his mother-in-law owns land along the pipeline route -- and stands to financially benefit from the easements.
