North Dakota group worries about pipeline steel

BISMARCK, N.D.

A North Dakota environmental group wants government regulators to investigate whether a Canadian company used faulty steel in the construction of a pipeline that moves crude oil from Canada through six states.

Dickinson-based Dakota Resource Council says TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone pipeline used steel from a supplier that has had problems with steel in other pipelines.

TransCanada spokesman Terry Cunha says the group's worries are unfounded. He says all steel used in the 30-inch diameter pipeline exceeds federal specifications.

Cunha says the pipeline began operation last month. Its route is across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and through the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.