DNR Urges Reroute of Sandpiper Crude Oil Pipeline

ST. PAUL (AP) - Another Minnesota state agency has asked regulators to consider rerouting the proposed Sandpiper crude oil pipeline.

In a filing with the Public Utilities Commission on Thursday, the Department of Natural Resources asked the PUC to strongly consider one of several alternative routes for the Enbridge Energy pipeline that would pose fewer risks to northern lakes and other natural resources.

Reports say the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency expressed similar concerns earlier this month.

Canada-based Enbridge wants to build the line to carry North Dakota oil across northern Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin, passing near Itasca State Park and Park Rapids.

Enbridge has said the proposed alternative routes are longer, would add $185 million to $455 million to the costs, and could delay the project three years.