Oil company ConocoPhillips has filed a request for an expedited hearing before the Idaho Supreme Court, seeking reinstatement of its permits to haul mega-truckloads on U.S. Highway 12.
The request comes a day after the oil company appealed 2nd District Judge John Bradbury’s ruling this week that revoked special state permits allowing four oversized loads of oil refinery equipment to be transported from Lewiston to Billings, Montana. Bradbury ordered the Idaho Transportation Department to review the shipments to ensure public safety and convenience.
Three Idaho business owners claimed the proposed shipments would threaten public safety, hurt tourism and potentially damage the river corridor.
Court documents supporting the request for an expedited appeal argue that Bradbury’s decision creates challenges for ConocoPhillips, specifically delaying a transport company to get the loads across Arrow Bridge. Right now there’s a break in a construction project that is supposed to be done by late October, and the transport company, Emmert International, is paying the contractor doing the bridge work stand-down costs.
The Billings refinery is undergoing a significant refurbishment project, and ConcoPhillips officials say shipping delays could result in financial losses in excess of $9 million.
The Idaho Supreme Court has yet to schedule when it will hear the case, though it typically takes about six months for the High Court to handle appeals.
