WATFORD CITY – The North Dakota Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 10, regarding an application for a siting permit for an existing crude oil transmission pipeline in Williams and McKenzie counties.

Grayson Mill Operating, LLC, is requesting a siting permit for an 8-inch crude oil transmission pipeline that extends 14.72 miles between the existing Aune and Alexander crude oil terminals.

The pipeline was originally constructed in about 2012 by a different company. The pipeline was drained and cleaned at some point in late 2017 or early 2018 and has been inactive since that time. An affiliate of Grayson Mill acquired the pipeline in January 2021. After evaluating plans to return it to operation, Grayson Mill became aware that the pipeline did not have a permit from the PSC before it was built. The company is now seeking to properly permit the pipeline before returning it to service.

The public hearing begins at 9 a.m. at Little Missouri Inn & Suites, 109 9th Ave. SE, in Watford City.

Any comments from members of the public must be received at the hearing to be part of the record. The hearing will be conducted by a substantive administrative law judge and commission staff will participate in the hearing process.