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PSC proposes -- reluctantly -- elimination of the grain licensing program

Dave Thompson
/
Prairie Public

The chairman of the North Dakota Public Service Commission said for the PSC to follow Gov. Doug Burgum’s request to find another 10 percent to cut from the PSC budget was a daunting task.

Randy Christmann said much of what the Commission does has a federal funding component to it. So he says if you took those things off the cutting table, there isn’t much “wiggle room.” So Christmann said the Commission made a very tough decision – it has recommended the elimination of the Commission’s grain licensing program.

"I'm not a fan of doing a bunch of things poorly," Christmann said in an interview. "If you don't have the resources to do something well, it's time not to do it anymore."

But Christmann said he really doesn’t want that program to be eliminated.

"Out number one priority of 'change packages' is going to be to bring it back," Christmann said. "This is a program that has merit. It serves a good purpose, and is very efficiently run."

Christmann said for the agriculture producers in North Dakota, this is not costing very much money. But he said out of the PSC budget, it is a significant expense.

"There's the cost of having the inspectors on the road," Christmann said. "They use cars from the motor pool, and we have no control over the motor pool costs."

Christmann said the PSC will be talking to Legislators to stress the importance of the grain licensing program. And he said the program has two “top notch” inspectors.

"They're doing a nice job out there," Christmann said. "They try to make sure producers are safe when they're making their grain sale decisions or grain storage decisions."