Pipeline protest policing costs surpass emergency spending

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An official says North Dakota likely will have to borrow more money to police protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline now that the costs have exceeded the $10 million in emergency spending authorized by the state.

State Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong says law enforcement costs related to the protests that have been ongoing since August reached $10.9 million last week.

She says it’s “very likely” that officials will need to request more money from the state’s Emergency Commission, which earlier approved borrowing $10 million from the state-owned Bank of North Dakota.

The CEO of pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners says he made a verbal offer to Gov. Jack Dalrymple to reimburse the state. Dalrymple’s spokesman says no formal offer has been made.