News Releases for February 2002
February 22, 2002
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Statement Of Governor John Hoeven On State Suit Against BNSF For Mandan Fuel Spill
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today issued the following statement:
After conferring with me, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem is initiating a lawsuit against Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Company on behalf of the State of North Dakota.
I informed BNSF in January that the cleanup effort was not progressing fast enough, and that a suit was imminent if the company refused to accelerate cleanup activities under its 1985 acknowledgement of responsibility for the event.
The suit announced today is necessary to safeguard the public health of North Dakota citizens and the environment of the Mandan community due to BNSF’s refusal to accept responsibility for cleaning up the spill.
I am committed to putting the full weight of my office behind the Attorney General’s efforts to compel BNSF to own up to its responsibilities to Mandan and the people of North Dakota.
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