Idaho Transportation Director Brian Ness has formally accepted the recommendation of state hearing officer Duff McKee that Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil be issued permits to transport more than 200 megaloads of Canada-bound oil equipment across scenic Highway 12 from the Port of Lewiston to Montana. In his five-page ruling, Ness ruled that administrative procedures were properly followed and all sides had a fair opportunity to present their case. Any party still can ask Ness to reconsider his decision by filing a motion within 14 days. Click below to read ITD's full news release.
 

Sept. 7, 2011

ITD Director Ness accepts hearing officer’s recommendation to issue permits to ImperialOil/ExxonMobil to haul over legal loads on U.S. 12

BOISE – Idaho Transportation Department Director Brian Ness accepted today the recommendations of a hearing officer to issue permits for Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil to transport over legal loads on U.S. 12.
The ruling concludes five months of administrative hearings on whether to allow the proposed shipments.
Ness said he based his decision on four key factors:
- Administrative process was properly followed;
- All sides received a fair opportunity to present their case;
- An independent hearing officer recommended the permits be issued; and
- No reasons were found in the interveners' appeal to overturn the hearing officer’s recommendation.
"I want to thank hearing officer Duff McKee and all parties for thoroughly presenting their cases,” Ness said.  “I will not comment further until the administrative process is complete.”
 A party may ask Ness to reconsider his decision by filing a motion within 14 days.

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