Standard News

Hide Advertisement
  • Business
  • Culture
  • News
  • Technology
  • Trending
Site logo
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

North Dakota governor calls in National Guard ahead of pipeline ruling

By Reuters 2 min read
Advertisement - Continue reading below
Protestors raise their fists in solidarity with a group from the Saginaw Chippewa Reservation as they enter an encampment where hundreds of protestors have gathered on the banks of the Cannon Ball River

(Reuters) – North Dakota’s governor activated 100 National Guard troops on Thursday ahead of an expected ruling by a federal judge on a Native American tribe’s request to halt construction of a crude oil pipeline that has drawn fierce opposition and protests.

The $3.7 billion, 1,100-mile (1,770 km) Dakota Access pipeline would carry oil from just north of land owned by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to Illinois, where it would hook up to an existing pipeline and route crude directly to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Advertisement

The line would be the first to allow movement of crude oil from the Bakken shale, a vast oil formation in North Dakota, Montana and parts of Canada, to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The project has sparked violent clashes between security officers near the construction site and tribe members and other protesters. Opponents say the project will damage burial sites considered sacred to the tribe and pollute the area’s drinking water.

Energy Transfer Partners <ETP.N>, which is leading a group of firms to build the pipeline, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Protesters have included actress Shailene Woodley and Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Some have spray-painted construction equipment, attached themselves to bulldozers and broken a fence, local authorities said.

Protests have been held in both North Dakota and Washington, D.C.

In a hearing in federal court in Washington, D.C., earlier this week, U.S. Judge James Boasberg granted in part and denied in part the tribe’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop the project, and said he would decide by Friday whether to grant the larger challenge to the pipeline, which would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw permits.

In advance of that decision, Governor Jack Dalrymple ordered National Guard troops to the area from bases in Bismarck and two other cities.

Some two dozen troops will help with security at traffic checkpoints – the closest of which is about 30 miles (48 km) from the protest site, said Guard spokeswoman Amber Balken. One hundred troops in all are ready to aid local law enforcement should protests become violent, she said.

“The Guard members will serve in administrative capacities and assist in providing security at traffic information points – the Guardsmen will not be going to the actual protest site,” Balken said.

(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Matthew Lewis)

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC8801T-VIEWIMAGE

tagreuters.com2016binary_LYNXNPEC8801S-VIEWIMAGE

Advertisement - Continue reading below

Parents Warn Others After Discovering Their Daughter Has Meningococcal B
Culture
Danielle 2 min read

Parents Warn Others After Discovering Their Daughter Has Meningococcal B

An activist campaign seeks to shame U.S. companies over Trump
News
Reuters 4 min read

An activist campaign seeks to shame U.S. companies over Trump

Brazil’s Gisele holds top spot in Forbes model list; Jenner jumps
Entertainment
Reuters 1 min read

Brazil’s Gisele holds top spot in Forbes model list; Jenner jumps

SpaceX rocket launches satellite, then lands on ship at sea
News
Reuters 2 min read

SpaceX rocket launches satellite, then lands on ship at sea

Christie said to know of lane closures as ‘Bridgegate’ trial starts
News
Reuters 3 min read

Christie said to know of lane closures as ‘Bridgegate’ trial starts

Ancient Ruins of a Once Luxurious Roman City Can Still be Visited – Under the Sea
Trending
David Clarke 3 min read

Ancient Ruins of a Once Luxurious Roman City Can Still be Visited – Under the Sea

From Bhangarh Fort to Shimla’s Tunnel No
Entertainment
Ethan Blake 8 min read

From Bhangarh Fort to Shimla’s Tunnel No

Stuck on 21, Serena aims to finish the job
News
Reuters 3 min read

Stuck on 21, Serena aims to finish the job

UAW chief says union to endorse either Clinton or Sanders ‘soon’
News
Reuters 2 min read

UAW chief says union to endorse either Clinton or Sanders ‘soon’

Gawker Media founder faces personal bankruptcy
Business
Reuters 3 min read

Gawker Media founder faces personal bankruptcy

load more Loading posts...

sidebar

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

sidebar-alt

  • About Us
  • Imprint
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • For Advertisers