Environmental groups sue over Keystone Pipeline

8:50 AM

Posted: Friday, August 08, 2008

GRAFTON, N.D. (AP) -- Environmental groups say they're suing the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., over the Keystone oil pipeline under construction in eastern North Dakota.

The Dakota Resource Council, with Dakota Rural Action, and the Natural Resources Defense Council say their lawsuit accuses the State Department of not fully investigating the risks from the pipeline, including leaks, and its effects on rural communities.

The State Department issued a permit allowing Alberta-based TransCanada Corp., to build the pipeline.

TransCanada and Houston-based ConocoPhillips are partners in developing the 1,980-mile project connecting Hardisty, Alberta with a delivery point near terminals in Port Arthur, Texas. The developers hope to start delivering oil next year.

Story Comments

UnCoGal wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Pipeline leaks and explosions (2 killed in MN in 2007) have been in the news several times over the last year. Small pin holes can leak a lot of product before they are detected as the monitoring equipment can not detect the small holes. The shallow aquifers need to be protected as once they are polluted, it's too late. "