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ND May Ask Feds to Pay Pipeline Protest Costs

The state incurred $38 million in expenses related to the protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline.

This Feb. 13, 2017, aerial file photo, shows a site where the final phase of the Dakota Access pipeline is taking place with boring equipment routing the pipeline underground and across Lake Oahe to connect with the existing pipeline in Emmons County near Cannon Ball, N.D. Federal Judge James Boasberg on Tuesday, March 14 denied a request by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux to stop oil from flowing while they appeal his earlier decision allowing pipeline construction to finish.
This Feb. 13, 2017, aerial file photo, shows a site where the final phase of the Dakota Access pipeline is taking place with boring equipment routing the pipeline underground and across Lake Oahe to connect with the existing pipeline in Emmons County near Cannon Ball, N.D. Federal Judge James Boasberg on Tuesday, March 14 denied a request by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux to stop oil from flowing while they appeal his earlier decision allowing pipeline construction to finish.
Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune, via AP File

North Dakota officials appear poised to go after the U.S. government — and thus U.S. taxpayers — to recoup more than $38 million in state expenses related to protests against the Dakota Access pipeline.

A longstanding offer from project developer Energy Transfer Partners to pay up remains on the table, but it's unclear whether the state will accept it.

Republican Gov. Doug Burgum's spokesman says no decisions have been made on seeking reimbursement from the company that's worth billions. But he says the state has been talking to federal officials about reimbursement.

Dustin Gawrylow (GAV'-ur-loh) with the North Dakota Watchdog Network questions whether the financial responsibility should fall on taxpayers. He says the state should take the offered money.

Protest leaders say they think state officials already are too cozy with ETP.

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