Public hearings set for proposed ND pipeline

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota’s Public Service Commission has set three public hearings for a proposed pipeline that would move North Dakota oil to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The hearings for Enbridge Energy’s Sandpiper pipeline are slated for Wednesday in Grand Forks; Thursday in Devils Lake; and Feb. 27 in Minot.

The Calgary, Alberta-based company is proposing the $2.6 billion, 612-mile pipeline to carry 225,000 barrels of oil daily to a hub in northern Minnesota and 375,000 barrels to one in northwestern Wisconsin.

If approved by regulators, it would be the largest pipeline moving oil out of North Dakota.

North Dakota’s portion of the pipeline is 299 miles.

Enbridge’s filed its application to regulators in November and says the project is “needed and in the +public+ interest.”