Pipeline protest policing costs surpass emergency spending

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota officials may need to borrow more money to police protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline now that costs have exceeded the $10 million in emergency spending authorized by the state.

Total state law enforcement costs related to the protests that have been ongoing since August reached $10.9 million last week, according to state Emergency Services spokeswoman Cecily Fong. Morton County has spent an additional $8 million, and county officials have said they might apply for reimbursement from the state.

Fong said it's "very likely" officials will need to go back to the state's Emergency Commission to request more money, though she wasn't immediately sure when that might happen or how much money would be requested.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/pipeline-protest-policing-costs-surpass-emergency-spending/article_96e9bb97-b9e7-55f6-a03b-d1084dbae577.html