ND's CO2 Pipeline Hearing: Witness Testimony and Community Concerns Discussed
The hearing was held at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Mandan Monday, April 22nd and an estimated 70 people were in attendance. Judge Hope Hogan introduced counsel for the various intervenors. Summit then called four witnesses, the second of which was Wade Boeshans Summit Executive Vice President who explained he had been involved with the re-route and had reached out to the Bismarck intervenors.
The hearing continued with Summit COO James Powell after the lunch break and he reported that a new 55 miles had been added to the pipeline re-route. Attorney Derrick Braaten questioned Powell about cultural and environmental surveys.
After an afternoon break, public testimony began and eight landowners spoke about their individual experiences, safety concerns, and being adjacent to land where the pipeline would be situated but having no voice because the pipeline would not be on their actual land. Representative Mike Brandenburg spoke in favor of the pipeline, saying he is concerned about the future of corn in the state. PSC Chairman Randy Christman questioned his proximity to the proposed pipeline. Chad Moldenhauer, owner of K&L Homes and member of the Bismarck intervenors group said he was not planning on testifying, but felt he needed to appear and correct what he called untrue statements made by Boeshans.
After Moldenhauer concluded his testimony, another five people testified, and the hearing concluded at around 6:15pm. No further days were needed for the PSC hearing for Burleigh, Morton, and Oliver Counties. A date for a needed “technical hearing” has not been set. The next PSC public hearing is scheduled for Wahpeton Friday, May 24th.
