This revelation happened to coincide with the fact that TransCanada needed to go before the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to recertify its expired permits to run the pipeline through South Dakota. As part of that process, TransCanada has to prove that it has abided by the rules previously set down by the PUC. Buying all that pipe and leaving it out in the elements, it was argued, demonstrates that TransCanada's concern for safety is less than adequate to justify the recertification of the permits.