Groups want study of refinery near Theodore Roosevelt park

BISMARCK, N.D. – Two environmental groups want North Dakota regulators to study the site of an $800 million oil refinery proposed about 3 miles (5 kilometres) from Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota.

Meridian Energy Group earlier this month received a permit from North Dakota’s Health Department allowing construction of the project.

It will need state water and wastewater permits, but it won’t need a siting permit from the state Public Service Commission. That’s because Meridian says the refinery will process about 27,500 barrels of oil daily, with a production capacity of 49,500 barrels per day. That’s under the 50,000-barrel threshold that triggers a siting review.

The company denies trying to skirt state permitting law.

The Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Dakota Resource Council dispute that. They filed a complaint with the PSC on Friday, asking for a hearing.