BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) - Dozens of opponents of Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota blocked an intersection in downtown Bemidji for nearly four hours as they called on Gov. Mark Dayton to stop the project.
Several environmental, tribal and faith activists were briefly detained and ticketed when police officers and sheriff’s deputies broke up the peaceful protest around 4 p.m. Wednesday.
The opponents say the project poses unacceptable risks of oil spills in pristine areas of northern Minnesota.
Line 3, which was built in the 1960s, carries Canadian crude from Alberta through North Dakota and Minnesota to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wisconsin.
Enbridge says the replacement will be safer.
Minnesota regulators approved the project in June but it still needs state, local and federal permits.
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