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PSC decides against cease and desist order
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By REBECCA BEITSCH Bismarck Tribune |
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Posted: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 4:58 pm
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The Public Service Commission has decided not to issue a cease and desist order on Earth Harvest Mills in Harvey.
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Such an order would force the business to close shop in North Dakota, but PSC Chairman Kevin Cramer said working with the company to improve service offers more consumer protection to the farmers who sell their grain there.
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PSC inspectors had concerns about the company’s financial situation after inspectors found that the company wasn’t paying its grain producers within 45 days or properly converting credit-sale contracts. The company also was storing grain in unlicensed bins after telling the commission the bins were not in use.
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The issues were detailed in a May 11 memo where inspectors and staff recommended a cease and desist order.
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Cramer said the PSC was going to continue to monitor the company because a cease and desist order “might make it harder for producers to get paid.”
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The PSC is asking Earth Harvest Mills to open a new line of credit so they can pay farmers on the appropriate timeline.
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“We’re going to make sure they get it and pay the producers,” he said.
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There have been no formal complaints filed against the company, but Cramer said the PSC is “prepared to issue a cease and desist order, but lets try to make this company successful first.”
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KH NEWS DAILY 
