Rendering of $10 billion oil refinery in southeastern South Dakota
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) -
A company planning a $10 billion oil refinery in southeastern South Dakota has asked the state Supreme Court to expedite a hearing on an air-quality permit.
Dallas-based Hyperion Resources says delays and litigation have prevented the company from securing money from investors to move forward. The company submitted its initial air-quality application in 2007.
The Argus Leader reports that Hyperion has until March to start building the refinery that would process 400,000 barrels of Canadian tar sands crude oil each day.
Hyperion contends that the refinery would be a clean, modern plant that would reduce the nation's dependence on oil from overseas.
Opponents say it would emit too much pollution and hurt the quality of life in the area.