DAKOTA RESOURCE COUNCIL
1200 Missouri Ave, Suite 102,
Bismarck ND 58501
don@drcinfo.com
www.drcinfo.com
STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2014
DRC calls on RUS and Basin Electric to Postpone Public Meeting
Bismarck, ND---Dakota Resource Council members were disappointed to find out yesterday that the public meeting on a high voltage power through the Killdeer Mountains would be this week - Thursday, January 16 in Watford City, ND. Because of the apparent short notice for the meeting, DRC is asking Basin Electric and the USDA Rural Utility Services to reschedule the meeting so North Dakotans can have time to participate.
Basin Electric posted the notice on its website on January 9, notified the media on January 10. If there was earlier notice to the public, it was not very noticeable.
Usually, with a project of this magnitude, the public would be given 15 days notice through e-mails, statewide media and press releases. As it is, the public found out in the media three or four days before the meeting. DRC believes that North Dakotans should have ample time to plan and attend such an important meeting. The Killdeer Mountains have been a hot topic in the past year with not only utility proposals, but proposals from the oil and gas industry.
The Dakota Resource Council has sent a request to the USDA Rural Utility Service asking them to postpone the meeting on Jan 16th to a later date, in order to make sure there is at least 15 days for the public to present prepared testimony at the hearing on such an important issue. If Basin Electric has ample time to give their side, the people should also have time to respond with proper testimony.
To voice concern about the lack of notice by both the RUS and Basin Electric, please e-mail Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist of the USDA, Rural Utilities Service at dennis.rankin@wdc.usda.gov or by calling his office at (202) 720-1953.
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Founded in 1978, Dakota Resource Council is a statewide organization bringing together farmers, ranchers, small business owners, workers and other North Dakotans to address issues that affect their lives and livelihoods.
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