South Dakota Regulators Holding Hearing on Pipeline Project
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota regulators are deciding whether to approve construction of a proposed $3.8 billion pipeline that would move oil from western North Dakota's Bakken oil patch.
The Dakota Access Pipeline would move at least 450,000 barrels of North Dakota crude daily through South Dakota and Iowa to an existing pipeline in Patoka, Illinois, where shippers can access Midwest and Gulf Coast markets.
About 270 miles of the 1,130-mile pipeline would be in eastern South Dakota. Some landowners say they have environmental concerns.
South Dakota's Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday is beginning a two-week hearing on whether to permit the pipeline. Chairman Chris Nelson tells the Argus Leader that a final decision will be made by mid-December.
The project also needs approval from regulators in North Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.
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