Dispute over refinery near national park heats up in court
Blake Nicholson, Associated Press
Updated 8:42 am CDT, Saturday, March 23, 2019
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Parties involved in a dispute over whether North Dakota regulators should be involved in the siting of an oil refinery near Theodore Roosevelt National Park have filed their initial legal arguments in state court. Here's a look at the dispute over the $800 million Davis Refinery being built by Meridian Energy.
THE REFINERY
Meridian wants to build the project just 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the park that's the state's top tourist attraction, drawing more than 700,000 visitors annually. The company says the facility will be the "cleanest refinery on the planet," a model for future plants and a boost for the area economy. Environmental groups worry pollution will erode air quality at the park and mar its majestic scenery. Meridian began site work last summer and plans to resume construction this spring with a goal of having the refinery fully operating by mid-2021.
HOW MUCH OIL?
The amount of oil Meridian says it will process at the refinery is central to why North Dakota regulators never considered the appropriateness of the site. Under state law, oil refineries with a capacity of 50,000 or more barrels daily need to obtain a site permit from the Public Service Commission, a process that involves public hearings and can take half a year or longer to complete. Meridian initially told the media, investors and government officials that the refinery would have a capacity of 55,000 barrels, but the company later lowered the figure to 49,500.
THE LEGAL CHALLENGE
The Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Dakota Resource Council believe Meridian pulled a fast one. The groups criticized the commission for trusting the company and appealed to district court.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Dispute-over-refinery-near-national-park-heats-up-13711036.php