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Judge To Hear Challenge To Alberta Clipper Oil Pipeline

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge hears oral arguments in Minneapolis on Thursday in a challenge by tribal and environmental groups to expanding the capacity of the Alberta Clipper oil pipeline.

The groups take issue with the State Department's approval last year of a temporary plan by Enbridge Energy for increasing the capacity of the line so it can carry more crude oil from Alberta across Minnesota.

Their lawsuit asks U.S. District Judge Michael Davis for an injunction to stop the project, saying the State Department cut a deal with Enbridge to avoid the need for the same sort of border-crossing permit that has held up the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. That kind of permit requires an extensive environmental review.

The plaintiffs include the White Earth Nation and environmental and climate change groups.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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