Economic Impact of Trenton Refinery - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Economic Impact of Trenton Refinery

Yesterday our on Eye on Energy focused on Dakota Oil Processing's plans for a diesel fuel refinery near Trenton.

Tonight, Gary Brode looks into the impact on the local economy.

Dakota Oil Processing will begin construction of its new diesel skimming pant in the spring. With the plant only 3 miles southwest of Trenton and approximately 16 miles outside of Williston, people are sure to see changes. Initially there were concerns expressed by the public.

(Martin Hanson, District 1 Commissioner, Williams County) 'There's a community hall there, there's a church there. They wanted to know that they were going to be protected from it. That there would be burdens, tree planning's, to kind of isolate them from it. They were concerned about that. Everybody is concerned about road traffic, but you got a main line to the railroad there and you got good highway access. It's a good place for it."

The idea of having a diesel fuel refinery entices Hanson because of the need for the specific fuel in this area.

(Martin Hanson, District 1 Commissioner, Williams County) "I think it's a good idea. We periodically have shortages of diesel fuel in this area. Farming and truck drivers, we need diesel fuel. Anything we can produce here that we don't have to ship in has to be a plus for the area."

When it came time to vote, the rest of the Williams County Commissioners unanimously agreed with Hanson. Wanting to keep the people involved in the process, the founder of Dakota Oil says the company took the "honesty is the best policy" approach with members of the community and it paid off.

(Mel Falcon, Founder, Dakota Oil Processing) "We've got very good reception from the people here and the surrounding area. We were very open from the first step that we took to make sure that we involved the people, so everybody knew upfront what we were going to do. We find that's the best way of approaching something like this."

The diesel plant will employ about 125 people. Falcon hopes most, if not all employees will be hired from within the state.

(Mel Falcon, Founder, Dakota Oil Processing) "We're going to try to recruit from this area. In fact Bismarck College, does have a program setup to train refinery people. We're looking at that program to continue and/or start a program in Williston at the Williston State college."

Transportation of naphtha and other material will be done by Savage Resources conveniently located across the street from the refinery.

Gary Brode, KX News.

The skimming plant is expecting to produce around 20,000 barrels per day.