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2 Minn. Refineries Object To Pipeline Surcharge

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesota oil refineries say they shouldn't have to help pay for a pipeline that they won't use.

Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge Energy this month proposed a surcharge to finance the $2.5 billion, 618-mile "Sandpiper" pipeline, which will bring more oil from western North Dakota across Minnesota to a terminal in Superior, Wis.

But the owners of refineries in Rosemount and St. Paul Park that use North Dakota crude have told federal regulators they oppose the deal. The Star Tribune reports their major complaint is all oil shipped from the Bakken fields into Minnesota would pay a $1.45 per barrel surcharge, even if it didn't travel on the new line.

Enbridge says all shippers stand to gain because the project will end the bottleneck on an existing North Dakota-Minnesota pipeline.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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