PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A state environmental board has approved a
Texas company's request to extend the deadline for starting
construction of a $10 billion oil refinery planned for southeastern
South Dakota.
After hearing closing arguments from lawyers representing
Hyperion Resources and groups opposing the project, the Board of
Minerals and Environment also approved changes in the permit to
reflect updated national air quality standards and new technology.
Hyperion's original permit called for construction to begin by
February of this year, but the company said the project was delayed
by the recession. The amended permit gives it another 18 months
until March 2013 to start construction.
The refinery north of Elk Point would process 400,000 barrels of
Canadian tar sands crude oil each day into low-sulfur gasoline,
diesel, jet fuel and liquid petroleum gas.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-09-15-11 1352EDT
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