WALHALLA, N.D. (KFGO) - Environmental activists calling themselves "Climate Direct Action" shut down five pipelines across the U.S. Tuesday. Those pipelines, including one in Northeastern North Dakota and several in Minnesota, deliver tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada. The group says it conducted the actions to show solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux and others protesting construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near Mandan.
The Pembina County Sheriff's Department, with assistance from the Cavalier County Sheriff's Department, took three people into custody at the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline site near Walhalla. They're accused of attempting to to shut off emergency valves to stop the flow of oil. As a precaution, the pipeline was shutdown for more than 7 hours.
Pembina County States Attorney Ryan Bialas says his office is working with local and Federal authorities on the investigation and to determine if formal charges will be filed in County or Federal Court.
Two Enbridge Energy lines near Clearbrook in Northwest Minnesota were also tampered with. Company spokesman Michael Barnes says the actions were "dangerous and reckless."
Oil pipeline sites in Montana and Washington State were also tampered with by the protesters.