CHS Still Reviewing Fertilizer Plant Project

Jamestown (CSi) Cenex Harvest States (CHS) officials are reviewing the status of the proposed nitrogen fertilizer plant at Spiritwood

CHS president and CEO, Carl Casale, says no time line has been set for future decisions, saying “We’ve got some work to do, but this is very strategic for CHS.

We’re committed to finding the path forward. There is no higher priority for the company at this time than addressing this.”

Casale adds a planned “go-forward” decision on April 1 this year, was delayed because bids received from the contractor selected for the project were higher than expected.

JSDC CEO Connie Ova believes the project will be built.

CHS is continuing acquiring the necessary water and air-quality permits for the project.

The project was estimated to cost $1.2 billion. Later estimates in January put the costs at about $1.8 billion.

The project would use natural gas from the Oil Patch in western North Dakota to produce nitrogen farm fertilizer. It will likely be the largest construction project in the state’s history.

CHS has estimated the project would contribute about $23 billion to the local and state economy over a 20-year period.