South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Monday that she’s proposing legislation before construction begins on the Keystone XL oil pipeline that would create a way to go after out-of-state money that funds pipeline protests.
The legislation would let the state follow such money and “cut it off at the source,” the Republican governor said in a statement. Noem would also set up a fund to cover extraordinary law enforcement costs that could come with intense pipeline opposition.
“I’m a supporter of property rights, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. We should celebrate differences of opinion. But here in South Dakota, we will have the rule of law, because rioters do not control economic development in our state,” Noem said.
Noem’s bills come after opponents of the Dakota Access oil pipeline staged large protests that resulted in 761 arrests in southern North Dakota over a six-month span beginning in late 2016. The state spent tens of millions of dollars policing the protests.
READ MORE: Several arrested as Standing Rock activists defy deadlines for Dakota Access pipeline protest
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of protests against the Dakota Access pipeline.
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At least nine arrested following showdown between police and DAPL protesters -
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Standing Rock protesters burn their belongings ahead of deadline to clear camp -
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Authorities prepare to shut down Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp -
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Protesters shutdown bridge in Minneapolis over Trump’s executive orders on pipelines -
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Anti-pipeline protests erupt across U.S. after Trump moves to continue construction -
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Protests erupt in New York City after Donald Trump signs executive order to continue construction on controversial pipelines -
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President Trump green lights Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines -
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Conflict of interest in Trump’s expediting of the Dakota Access pipeline? -
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Trump approves completion of Dakota Access pipeline -
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Trump signs executive order approving Keystone XL, Dakota Access pipelines -
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Edmonton photographer covers Standing Rock and Dakota Access pipeline -
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Saskatchewan residents at Standing Rock celebrate pipeline victory -
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Trade group appeals to Trump to approve pipeline -
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Dakota Access Pipeline protesters celebrate their victory after pipeline temporarily halted -
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Dakota Access pipeline construction halted by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -
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U.S. military veterans backing North Dakota pipeline protests -
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Dakota Access Pipeline protester offers digital tour of her living conditions amidst bitter cold -
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North Dakota Access Pipeline protest faces tough deadline
The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota said the legislation could infringe on free speech rights.
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“The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment,” Libby Skarin, the group’s policy director, said in a statement.
Officials have already changed state law in anticipation of Keystone XL protests. In 2017, they made it a Class 1 misdemeanour for someone to stand in the highway to stop traffic or to trespass in a posted emergency area. That was a scaled-back version of a bill championed by then-Gov. Dennis Daugaard amid concerns about large demonstrations similar to the Dakota Access protests.
Noem’s office said her bills arose from discussions with lawmakers, authorities, stakeholders and pipeline developer TransCanada. The 1,900 kilometre pipeline is intended to ship up to 830,000 barrels a day of Canadian crude through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with lines to carry oil to Gulf Coast refineries.
A federal judge in Montana in February largely kept in place an injunction that blocks TransCanada from performing preliminary work on the stalled pipeline.
READ MORE: U.S. federal judge keeps most Keystone XL pipeline work on hold
TransCanada spokesman Terry Cunha said in an email that the company appreciates Noem’s efforts to help advance the construction of Keystone XL and other pipelines in a way that ensures the safety of workers and state residents.
“Any legislation that deters unlawful activities and encourages the advancement of critical infrastructure projects is a positive step in the right direction,” Cunha said.
The developer of the Dakota Access pipeline last month sued the environmental group Greenpeace in North Dakota. Energy Transfer Partners accused the group and activists of conspiring to use illegal and violent means to disrupt construction, and benefited from the ensuing publicity to increase donations.
READ MORE: Civil liberties groups sue U.S. over alleged plans to thwart Keystone XL pipeline protests
Greenpeace has said the company is trying to silence peaceful advocacy. A judge tossed the ETP claim out of federal court, but the company is pursuing similar claims in state court.
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