Why It Matters
North Dakota’s Department of Environmental Quality is seeking public input on a proposed heavy industry facility northeast of Minot. The project would process mine waste from Minnesota into pig iron, a material used in steelmaking.
What Happened
The department opened a public comment period for North American Iron’s construction permit application and proposed permit documents. The company plans to transport iron-rich mine waste from northern Minnesota to a proposed site northeast of Minot.
Department preliminary evaluations indicate the facility would comply with air pollution rules and would not harm air quality. Burning natural gas at the site could produce greenhouse gas emissions.
Jim Bougalis, North American Iron’s CEO and founder, said a natural gas-fired power generation facility will be built at the site, describing it as “a 300-megawatt natural gas-fired power generation facility.”
By the Numbers
5:30 p.m. — planned public hearing time
Dec. 2 — planned public hearing date
2,400-acre — proposed site size
300-megawatt — planned natural gas-fired power generation facility capacity
4201 Normandy St., 2nd Floor, Bismarck, ND 58503-1324 — mailing address for comments
Zoom Out
The proposal combines mineral-waste processing with steel-related manufacturing and natural gas-fired power generation. The department’s preliminary review addresses the facility’s compliance with air pollution requirements and potential effects on air quality.
What’s Next
A public hearing is planned for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at Minot City Hall if the department determines there is sufficient interest. The agency may cancel it if no formal hearing request is received or if public interest is deemed insufficient.
Comments may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, at 4201 Normandy St., 2nd Floor, Bismarck, ND 58503-1324.