9/7/2011
ITD Director accepts hearing officer's recommendation to issue permits to ExxonMobil for U.S. 12
BOISE – Idaho Transportation Department Director Brian Ness today accepted 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 a five-month administrative hearing process on whether to allow the proposed shipments.
Ness said he based his decision to grant transport permits 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.