BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - A 51-year-old Baker man has pleaded guilty to illegally transporting hazardous materials from North Dakota to a recycling center in eastern Montana.
Prosecutors alleged Kelly Steen transported natural gas condensate from Watford City, North Dakota to Wibaux, Montana on Dec. 29, 2012, without having placards warning of the contents and without proper documentation. The Billings Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/1JKArs8 ) Steen pleaded guilty Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20.
The case came to light when Steen was transferring the gas into the main bay at Custom Carbon Processing. Prosecutors say flammable vapors filled the building and an unknown source ignited it, causing an explosion and fire that injured three workers. The building was destroyed.
Prosecutors say the fact that there were no placards on the truck hindered responding firefighters’ ability to safely fight the fire.
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Information from: The Billings Gazette, https://www.billingsgazette.com
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