BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Officials with WBI Energy gave North Dakota lawmakers an update on their west-east natural gas pipeline project.

The Bakken East Pipeline will move natural gas from the heart of the Bakken to Mapleton and Ellendale.

The North Dakota Industrial Commission approved up to $500 million towards the project in August.

Mark Anderson with WBI said that with increasing production of natural gas, there’s a need to use it out east for power generation rather than flaring.

“Certainly, there’s parties looking to power generation, both to support more traditional load growth and potential data center operations. Our hope is that we can help do our part to enable that development,” said Anderson.

Anderson said the goal is to have signed customer agreements sometime next year.

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