BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Opponents of an oil refinery planned near Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota are imploring state regulators to give them a chance to explore whether the developer is being truthful about the project’s size.
Meridian Energy Group maintains it doesn’t need a state siting permit because the $800 million Davis Refinery will have a capacity of 49,500 barrels per day — just below the 50,000-barrel threshold that triggers a state review. But the company previously gave a 55,000-barrel figure.
The Environmental Law and Policy Center and Dakota Resource Council say the state Public Service Commission should launch a formal review and allow lawyers to investigate the true figure.
Meridian CEO William Prentice has signed an affidavit regarding the 49,500-barrel figure. The company wants the groups’ complaint thrown out.
