Hearing dates set for Sandpiper Pipeline project

BISMARCK - The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Monday formally approved the public hearing dates and locations for Enbridge’s proposed Sandpiper Pipeline that would carry oil from western North Dakota to Wisconsin.
The hearings will take place Feb. 19 at the University of North Dakota School of Law’s Baker Courtroom in Grand Forks; Feb. 20 at Robert Fawcett Auditorium at Lake Region State College in Devils Lake; and Feb. 27 in the Minot City Council chambers.
All three hearings will begin at 8:30 a.m.
About 299 miles of the 612-mile pipeline would be in North Dakota, cutting across nine counties, the Red and Souris rivers and the Devils Lake area.
The $2.6 billion pipeline would transport up to 250,000 barrels per day from the existing Beaver Lodge Station near Tioga to Berthold, 225,000 barrels per day from Berthold to a new pump station and terminal facility near Clearbrook, Minn., and 375,000 barrels per day from Clearbrook to Superior, Wis.
Given the scope of the project, PSC Chairman Brian Kalk said he expects the hearings to be “significant.”