The Public Service Commission has scheduled a work session on the expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
That work session will be held January 23rd.
Energy Transfer is proposing a doubling of the pipeline’s capacity – from 500,000 barrels of oil per day to 1.1 million barrels. It would do that by adding compressors at a site west of Linton.
The PSC held a lengthy public hearing in Linton last fall.
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak said she doesn’t think a final decision will take too long.
"It was a very thorough hearing," Fedorchak told reporters. "There weren't a lot of outstanding questions."
Fedorchak said once commissioners read the arguments from all the parties, they will know what questions to discuss in a couple of work sessions.
"Hopefully at that point, we will be able to come to a decision," Fedorchak said.
The Standing Rock Tribe wants the PSC to ask for more documentation. Fedorchak said the PSC will discuss that with Commission attorneys.
"There's a fair amount of information already in the record on those issues," Fedorchak said. "It comes down to our determination of just how complete the record is already, and whether we need to supplement that with additional information."
Fedorchak said when she reads the briefs submitted, and talks to her colleagues at the work session, she may decide more information is necessary. But for now, she isn’t anticipating that.
