ND regulators approve portion of $2.6B pipeline that would move oil to Minnesota, Wisconsin

North Dakota regulators have approved the construction of a portion of a $2.6 billion pipeline that would move North Dakota oil to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved the approximately 300-mile long North Dakota portion of the project that begins near Tioga and extends just south of Grand Forks.

Canada-based Enbridge Energy is proposing the 612-mile Sandpiper pipeline to carry 225,000 barrels of oil daily to a hub in northern Minnesota and 375,000 barrels to one in northwestern Wisconsin.

If approved by state and federal regulators, it would be the largest pipeline moving oil out of North Dakota.

The commission says it would take approximately 4,300 trucks or four oil trains per day to move the volumes projected to be carried by the pipeline.