Jeff Beach

HILLSBORO, N.D. — Opponents of what would be North Dakota's largest dairy argued Monday that a state agency failed to do an adequate review of the environmental threats posed by the milking operation.

Opponents of what would be North Dakota’s largest dairy argued Monday that a state agency failed to do an adequate review of the environmental threats posed by the milking operation.

Milking machines are attached to the udders of dairy cows that stand on a carousel at Riverview's Campbell Dairy in Wilkin County, Minnesota, on July 10, 2025.

An attorney for North Dakota’s Public Service Commission said Tuesday that the agency can’t consider public safety when issuing a pipeline permit.

An attorney for North Dakota's Public Service Commission said Tuesday that the agency can't consider public safety when issuing a pipeline permit.

Milking machines are attached to the udders of dairy cows that stand on a carousel at Riverview's Campbell dairy in Wilkin County, Minn., on July 10, 2025.

North Dakota Public Service Commission attorney Zachary Pelham attends a hearing on April 2, 2026, in Fargo. On Tuesday, Pelham argued on behalf of the PSC in a hearing on

North Dakota Public Service Commission attorney Zachary Pelham attends a hearing on April 2, 2026, in Fargo. On Tuesday, Pelham argued on behalf of the PSC in a hearing on

BISMARCK, N.D. — An attorney for North Dakota’s Public Service Commission said Tuesday that the agency can’t consider public safety when issuing a pipeline permit.

A cow feeds inside the barn at the North Dakota State University dairy research facility in Fargo on March 14, 2025.