The Nebraska Public Service Commission has issued an Order immediately revoking the Nebraska Grain Dealer License of Pipeline Foods, LLC, of Minneapolis, MN., and assessing a civil penalty of $22,000.
“Pipeline Foods left us no choice but to revoke its license,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “The company’s total lack of participation in the complaint process and subsequent hearing shows complete disregard for the laws and regulations of the state of Nebraska.”
Per the Order, Pipeline Foods, LLC must immediately cease all grain dealer operations in Nebraska. As such the company may not undertake any action that would classify it as a grain dealer, including, but not limited to buying grain from Nebraska producers/sellers with the intent to sell the purchased grain.
On August 5, the PSC Grain Department filed a complaint against Pipeline Foods, LLC for failure to include specific “Warning to Seller” language in violation of the Grain Dealer Act (Neb. Rev. Stat § 75-901). An Order temporarily suspending the company’s grain dealer license was issued on August 10. A hearing on the complaint was held on September 21. Pipeline Foods failed to respond to the Commission regarding any of the proceedings against it.
Pipeline Foods has 30 days to appeal the Commission’s order.