Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Utilities Board, on Wednesday, denied a Texas company’s request to start construction of the Bakken pipeline through Iowa this month — before it gets all the federal permission slips necessary for the project.
Dakota Access has started construction in other states on the pipeline that will carry crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois, passing through Lyon, Sioux and O’Brien counties here in northwest Iowa. But the Army Corps of Engineers has not completed its review and issued the company permits for river crossings. Dakota Access had asked Iowa utility regulators to grant permission to start construction in Iowa this week. Dakota Access argues the construction season in Iowa is shortened not only by winter, but by activity in farm fields. State regulators say both they AND critics of the project need more time to review and respond to project details.
Wednesday’s order from the Iowa Utilities Board also notes Dakota Access has not yet filed some of the documents state regulators requested for parcels of land that are subject to condemnation.
