Boise Idaho – About two hundred mega loads could roll down Idaho’s scenic highway 12. The state’s Department of Transportation granted permits to Imperial Oil/Exxon Mobile Wednesday. Adam Cotterell reports.
Imperial Oil wants to move equipment through Idaho and Montana to an oil sands project in Canada. At public hearings conservation groups and some highway 12 residents expressed concerns over environmental and lifestyle impacts to the scenic river byway. The hearing officer recommended the permits be granted. ITD director Brian Ness says that was why he said yes to the over legal loads. Spokesman Adam Rush says Ness didn’t find any reasons to say no.
Adam Rush “The administrative process for the contested case hearing was properly followed. All sides in the contested case hearing received a fair opportunity to present their case.”
Opponents of the mega loads will likely file a motion asking director Ness to reconsider. They have 14 days to do that. Meantime, Imperial/Exxon needs to resolve legal challenges in Montana before it can move any equipment.