Activists Rally Before Hearing on Oil Pipeline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Public debate grew heated about Enbridge Energy's plan to nearly double the capacity of its Alberta Clipper pipeline across northern Minnesota.

The pipeline now carries 450,000 barrels of Canadian crude oil daily through a corner of North Dakota, across Minnesota to Superior, Wis.

The company wants the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve an increased capacity of 800,000 barrels per day.

Reports say several hundred activists rallied in St. Paul Thursday before speaking at a PUC hearing. They object because much of the oil the pipeline carries comes from the oil sands of Alberta. Extracting and refining that oil is an energy-intensive process.

Opponents cited climate change for their reasons against it. Supporters argued the oil would continue flowing from Alberta's oil sands even if Minnesotans don't want it.