Meridian Refinery on Billings County Commission Agenda: June 7, 2016

Here we go again!!

The Meridian application for a proposed oil refinery near Theodore Roosevelt National Park is again on the Billings County Commission agenda. This time for Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 9 am MT at the Billings County Courthouse in Medora.

The application was tabled at the Commission’s May 3rd meeting with a request by Commissioner Arthaud for further detailed information from Meridian.

The ND Department of Health has been invited and is expected to present about air quality permitting, especially as it impacts the Class 1 air quality standard for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  As of today, Meridian has not yet submitted their DoH application.

It is of further interest that Meridian has submitted two variance applications to the Billings County Planning and Zoning Commission that will not be heard until their June 16th meeting:  http://www.billingscountynd.gov/documents/2016_6_16_BC_zoning_notice_001.pdf

BCA opposes this location at the gateway to our National Park and finds unacceptable Meridian’s selling point that further expansion of an associated industrial park is sure to follow.

For a look at former ND Tourism Director Jim Fuglie’s take on the issue and the value of our National Park, read "North Dakota’s Best Place: Can We Keep It That Way?" on The Prairie Blog.