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Enbridge delays ND oil pipeline at least a year

By WTOP Staff

JAMES MacPHERSON
Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Canadian company that wants to build the largest oil pipeline yet from western North Dakota’s booming oil patch is delaying the project for at least a year due to permitting problems in Minnesota.

Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge Energy Partners LP disclosed the delay of the $2.6 billion Sandpiper pipeline in a filing Tuesday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Enbridge is trying to build the 612-mile pipeline to carry 225,000 barrels of oil a day through northern Minnesota to a hub in Wisconsin. The pipeline was expected to be ready in early 2016, but because of a “longer than expected permitting process” in Minnesota, it likely won’t be in service until 2017, Enbridge spokeswoman Katie Haarsager said.

She said the company wasn’t sure about the financial repercussions, and that Enbridge secured shipping contracts for the pipeline last spring.

Minnesota regulators have requested an expanded study of the environmental impacts of six possible routes of the pipeline that were suggested by critics of Enbridge’s planned route, which crosses many rivers, lakes and wetlands. Enbridge says the alternative routes would be longer and more costly, and most don’t end in its intended destination of Superior, Wisconsin.

The delay also will affect North Dakota oil producers, though it shouldn’t have an immediate impact on production, according to North Dakota Pipeline Authority Director Justin Kringstad.

“Projects like this are vital to move our crude safely to markets throughout the U.S.,” Kringstad said.

North Dakota — the nation’s second-leading producer of oil behind Texas — has more than doubled its oil production in the last two years, to more than 1 million barrels a day. A barrel is equivalent to 42 gallons.

But due to the lack of pipeline capacity, about 70 percent of the state’s daily oil production is being shipped by rail.

Oil trains carrying North Dakota crude have been involved in several major accidents during the last 18 months, including an explosion in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, that killed 47 people. Other trains carrying North Dakota crude have since derailed and caught fire in Alabama, Virginia and North Dakota.

The pipeline — with an expected capacity equal to about four oil trains daily — is the biggest project yet to come before state regulators to move oil from the rich Bakken and Three Forks formations in western North Dakota. State regulators approved the construction of North Dakota’s portion of the pipeline in June.

“Obviously, we’ve done our part,” said Brian Kalk, who heads the North Dakota Public Service Commission. “Now it’s up to Minnesota.”

Last week, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton sent a letter to North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple asking for additional safety measures for oil trains leaving North Dakota.

“Everybody is complaining about train safety, and now we’ve lost a year,” said Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, a group that represents more than 500 companies working in the state’s oil patch.

“This is a great project and we’re ready to go. This comes at the same time the Minnesota governor is complaining about trains.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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