Safety not a factor in determining North Dakota pipeline routes, attorney says

By: Jeff Beach

Outlets: North Dakota Monitor

Published: July 14, 2026

Words: 668

Last Updated: 6 days, 9 hours ago

An attorney for North Dakota’s Public Service Commission said Tuesday that the agency can’t consider public safety when issuing a pipeline permit.

Attorney Zachary Pelham said while the commission must consider public welfare, that doesn’t include safety.

“Welfare and safety are two distinct things,” Pelham said during a hearing on a dispute over the permit for the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline.

Two counties and a group of landowners have sued the Public …

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