BISMARCK (AP) -- A proposal for a $5 million state grant for development of an oil refinery has come up dry in the North Dakota House.
The bill gave North Dakota's Commerce Department power to award the grant if a refinery developer concluded the project made business sense.
The money would have been to help the developer with the expense of getting an operating permit.
House Republican majority leader Al Carlson of Fargo said if a proposed refinery looked profitable, its developer would be willing to pay permitting costs without state help.
Dickinson Rep. Shirley Meyer says a refinery would help ease a diesel fuel shortage in North Dakota.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rolla Rep. Marvin Nelson says the $5 million grant would more than pay for itself with construction expenses and permanent jobs.
