BISMARCK - An oil pipeline opponent's e-mail to state officials suggesting landowners might "blow them up with several sacks of fertilizer and a gallon of diesel fuel" is now in the hands of the FBI.
The e-mail was sent by Burlington's Richard Starke, a vehement and persistent opponent of the proposed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline.
The line will be built next year through eastern North Dakota between Walhalla and Oakes if the state Public Service Commission grants a permit. It would carry Canadian crude oil from Alberta to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma.
Starke owns land east of Valley City along the proposed Keystone route.
Starke also accuses the PSC of accepting bribes from TransCanada, branding them with an unflattering nickname.
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In his e-mail, Starke wrote: "As long as our (Public) Keystone Affairs Commission is in their pockets for millions in bribes, and landowners do not take steps to blow them up with several sacks of fertilizer and a gallon of diesel fuel they will continue to exploit us."
It was sent Monday to other opponents of the line, with a copy to Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald.
Wefald turned the e-mail over to the state Highway Patrol. Lt. Mike Gerhart, a patrol spokesman, said Capitol security staff was made aware of it, "and the information was forwarded to federal authorities" - that is, the FBI.
Wefald said the Highway Patrol talked to Starke.
That prompted a follow-up e-mail in which Starke wrote: "Commissioner Wefald, Reading the message I understand your reason for concern. However, it was not the PSC members I referred to, but the oil pipelines that need blowing up and I really don't recommend that for the companies have a pretty good record of doing that THEMSELVES!" Starke and other opponents contend other such lines have had hundreds of leaks.
Gerhart said he does not know what the FBI has done with the message.
An FBI spokesman at the agency's Minneapolis office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday.
Starke could not be reached for comment Friday. There was no answer at his home phone number and he did not respond immediately to an e-mail.
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Jeff Rauh, a spokesman for TransCanada, said that while "it's appropriate" to investigate a threat of that nature, "It's clear from reading it that he's very, very emotional. It's just unfortunate he would make such comments."
All three commissioners said they took Starke's message as a threat against pipelines, not themselves.
"But, clearly, either is serious, so I felt Commissioner Wefald handled it in an entirely appropriate manner by forwarding to the proper authorities," said Commissioner Tony Clark.
He said the bribery accusation is "beyond absurd" and he took it as venting from a frustrated citizen.
Commissioner Kevin Cramer considered the threat "rhetorical and not literal," from "a passionate opponent (who) expresses himself with strong rhetoric, but is a faithful patriot and good citizen."
As for bribery, "I haven't even been offered a free lunch, much less 'millions,' " he said.
Wefald said she's never been offered a bribe, never accepted one and never will, but knows "some people think that's how public utilities operate.
"I've had other upset customers of utilities talk about commissioners receiving bribes," she said.
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Cole works for Forum Communications Co., which owns The Forum. She can be reached at (701) 224-0830 or forumcap@btinet.net Pipeline threat goes to FBI Janell Cole 20071027
