North Dakota seeks federal aid for pipeline protest costs

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota's governor is asking President Donald Trump for federal reimbursement of $38 million in state law enforcement costs related to months of protests over construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Gov. Doug Burgum emailed Trump Saturday seeking a presidential disaster declaration to pave the way for federal aid. Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki confirmed the request to The Associated Press on Monday.

White House officials didn't immediately comment on the likelihood of Trump declaring a disaster. Trump has been a champion of the fossil fuel industry and pushed for the completion of the disputed and stalled pipeline just days after taking office in January.

North Dakota's two senators, Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and Republican John Hoeven, have said a $1 trillion spending bill that Congress is considering includes money for a Justice Department program that could help with North Dakota's bills. But any reimbursement through that program is likely to make only a small dent.

Read more: http://www.aberdeennews.com/wire/us/north-dakota-seeks-federal-aid-for-pipeline-protest-costs/article_e62f3f6c-2eae-11e7-bb51-e3e3d4fbc361.html