BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators have approved the biggest-capacity pipeline proposed to date to move crude from the state’s oil patch.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission approved the permit for the Dakota Access Pipeline on Wednesday.
Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners wants to build the $3.8 billion, 1,130-mile pipeline to move nearly 600,000 barrels of crude daily from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline’s capacity is about half of North Dakota’s current production.
The North Dakota portion is the longest leg of the pipeline. The company says regulators in South Dakota and Illinois already have approved permits for the project.
The company says it expects regulators in Iowa to make a decision on the pipeline next month.
Energy Transfer Partners hopes to have the pipeline completed by the end of the year.
The pipeline’s route will cross the Mississippi in Lee County.
