(The Associated Press circulated the following story on May 30.)
DOUGLAS, Wyo. — Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad President Kevin Schieffer expects a resolution soon for a lawsuit that has halted the railroad’s plans to expand into the Powder River Basin.
The Mid-States Coalition for Progress, the Sierra Club, Sam Clausen and Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy filed the lawsuit in September.
The lawsuit before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals claims the federal Surface Transportation Board violated the National Environmental Policy Act by not considering the pollution that would result if more of the basin’s coal is allowed to be burned in Midwest power plants.
Schieffer told the Douglas Budget the $1.5 billion project will be able to attract more investors after the lawsuit is settled. Likely investors include companies with a stake in energy and related industries, he said.
He expects construction to begin within a couple years.
The project will involve building 260 miles of new track and rebuilding about 600 miles of track in South Dakota and Minnesota.