Minneapolis (AP) Tribal and environmental groups are suing the U.S. State Department for approving a temporary plan by a Canadian Pipeline Company to increase the flow of crude oil from Alberta into Minnesota.
The Sierra Club and other groups filed the federal lawsuit. The suit contends the state department approved a plan by Enbridge Energy to construct and operate a pipeline that crosses the U.S.-Canada border without first reviewing environmental impacts.
Enbridge won Minnesota regulatory approval to complete a $200 million upgrade of its 1,000-mile Alberta Clipper Pipeline, boosting its flow by adding pumping stations.
In July, the State Department approved Enbridge's plan to increase its cross-border oil flows by shifting the crude into another, underused pipeline at the border.
The state department told the Star Tribune it doesn't comment on litigation.