The Idaho Transportation Department joined an oil refiner in asking the state Supreme Court to overturn a judge’s decision that’s halted shipments of oversized equipment over U.S. Highway 12.
ConocoPhillips has already appealed 2nd District Judge John Bradbury’s move to revoke state permits, claiming it will lose up to $9 million and suffer production disruptions at a Montana refinery.
In its appeal Monday, the Idaho highway agency argued Bradbury erred on several fronts.
Its director, Brian Ness, wants state high court justices to let ConocoPhillips move ahead, contending his agency has taken steps to provide for safe transport of the big gear on U.S. 12.
Environmental groups and others oppose ConocoPhillips shipments and more than 200 separate, planned wide-load transports by Exxon Mobile Corp. that are bound for Canada’s oil country. (AP)
