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PSC seeking more staff, increased salaries for key staffers

The Public Service Commission will be asking for another position for the next biennium. That story from Prairie Public's Dave Thompson.

The PSC says it needs another pipeline inspector.

"One of the things that we talked about, even last session, was the need for an additional pipleine safety inspector, based on the projected growth at that time in pipelines," said PSC Chairman Brian Kalk. "The Petroleum Council and the Pipeline Authority said the pipeline capacity has increased about four times in the last few years. Our pipeline inspector has been doing a great job, but there's just a  lot more ground to cover."

Kalk says the PSC wants to make sure the pipelines are built safely and efficiently.

"We just need more people out there," he said.

Kalk says the PSC will also be asking for more pay for that position, as well as some other key jobs.

"We've had some turnover in that position, just because the private sector is paying so much for this skill set," Kalk said. "It's a two-fold issue: One, we need more capability, and two, we need to keep the people that we have. "

The PSC will submit that to Gov. Jack Dalrymple, in hopes that it will be a part of the executive budget proposal.

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