North Dakota Gov. Thankful for Protest Payment

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says he’s grateful that the company that built the Dakota Access pipeline has given the state $15 million to cover the costs of policing months of sometimes violent protests.

Burgum says the state will use the money to pay down debt it took on during the pipeline struggle. The state has a line of credit of $43 million to cover its costs.

The Standing Rock Sioux opposed the pipeline out of fear it would endanger water. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including many from out of state, helped police protests that included a months-long encampment in North Dakota.

Burgum says he’s committed to pursuing other avenues so North Dakota taxpayers don’t have to pay costs alone.

The company, Energy Transfer Partners, had long offered to help pay but former Gov. Jack Dalrymple had feared it might not be legal. Legislators passed a bill this year that called for accepting reimbursement.

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