Montana Revokes Bridger Pipeline Waiver After Legal Challenge
Montana regulators have revoked a waiver granted to the proposed Bridger Pipeline expansion, requiring the developer to submit additional environmental and financial information before its application can move forward.
(P&GJ) — The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has revoked a waiver that allowed the proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion to omit portions of its environmental and financial application, requiring the developer to submit additional information before the state's permitting process can continue.
The waiver, granted in February, exempted Bridger from providing certain financial information and baseline environmental data as part of its application for a Certificate of Compliance under Montana's Major Facility Siting Act. The agency reversed its decision after Montana residents challenged the waiver, arguing it violated state law and DEQ regulations.
RELATED:
- South Bow, Bridger Plan Wyoming-to-Cushing Oil Pipeline
- $2 Billion Price Tag Emerges for Bridger’s Canada-Wyoming Crude Pipeline
Under the revised decision, DEQ said it will not consider Bridger's application complete until all required information has been submitted and reviewed.
The proposed pipeline would form part of a larger system transporting Canadian crude from Alberta to Cushing, Oklahoma. The Montana segment could transport up to 1.13 million bpd to Guernsey, Wyoming, where it would connect with additional infrastructure planned by South Bow.
Environmental groups argued the waiver limited regulators' and the public's ability to evaluate the project's financial viability, environmental impacts and potential alternative routes.
"We are glad that DEQ did the right thing, and we will be there to make sure the agency's actions match its words," said Derf Johnson, deputy director of the Montana Environmental Information Center.
According to DEQ, Bridger must now submit the information previously omitted before the agency will continue reviewing the application.
Earthjustice, which represents opponents of the project, said it will continue monitoring the permitting process.
"We are glad to see DEQ reverse course and revoke these waivers," said Lars Phillips, senior attorney with Earthjustice's Northern Rockies Office. "If either DEQ or Bridger attempts to side-step Montana law again, we will see them in court."