BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The company that built the four-state Dakota Access pipeline is negotiating with North Dakota regulators to try to resolve all investigations into potential wrongdoing.
The state Public Service Commission two weeks ago offered a settlement of allegations that Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners improperly reported the discovery of American Indian artifacts during construction.
Commission attorney Zachary Pelham says the company has responded to the offer with a counterproposal that includes potentially also resolving a state investigation into whether crews removed too many trees and improperly handled some removed soil while laying pipe in the state.
The commission met privately with attorneys Monday on the counterproposal and took no public action afterward. Attorneys for the two sides will continue to negotiate. The company could face fines in both cases.