Pipeline company could face fines; protesters pepper-sprayed
Source: Associated Press
Blake Nicholson, Associated Press
Updated 4:15 pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2016
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Officers in riot gear clashed again Wednesday with protesters near the Dakota Access pipeline, hitting several dozen with pepper spray as they waded through waist-deep water in an attempt to reach property owned by the pipeline's developer.
The confrontation came just hours after North Dakota regulators discussed the possibility the pipeline company could be fined for not immediately reporting that American Indian artifacts had been found along the route.
Public Service Commission Chairwoman Julie Fedorchak said she was "extremely disappointed" that Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners waited 10 days before reporting last month's discovery of stone cairns and other artifacts. The panel could decide to levy fines of up to $200,000, Fedorchak said, though she said such a high amount would be unlikely.
After an inspection, company consultants decided to divert the construction by about 50 feet, even though they determined there was a "low likelihood" any additional artifacts were buried nearby. The State Historic Preservation Office did concur with the company's plan on how to proceed after the artifacts were found.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Artifacts-found-on-pipeline-route-not-reported-10474156.php