U.S. regulator blocks Enbridge pipeline to North Dakota's Bakken The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has blocked plans by Enbridge Inc. for a massive new pipeline to carry oil out of North Dakota's fast-growing Bakken field. In a decision released Friday, FERC denied an application by Enbridge to set tolls, or costs to move oil, through its $2.5-billion (U.S.) Sandpiper project. By blocking those tolls, it has at best delayed the project, as Enbridge will now have to present an alternative way to pay for the large new pipeline, which would carry oil 603 kilometres from North Dakota to Minnesota. Enbridge has not "filed anything that would qualify as an uncontested settlement that could be approved as fair and reasonable and in the public interest," FERC said in its ruling. A number of companies involved in moving oil out of the Bakken had loudly protested Enbridge's proposed tolls. EnWest Marketing LLC told FERC that "the amount of [Sandpiper] capacity was not necessary in view of rail and pipeline alternatives." Another protestor, WPX Energy Marketing LLC, accused Enbridge of staging "an attempt to double the price of transportation while receiving a risk-free guaranteed rate of return." Others said the Enbridge proposal would force shippers to shoulder the full extent of increased costs if Sandpiper is not filled to capacity. They also argued that Enbridge sought to pay off the pipeline in 15 years instead of the standard 30 and, they said, few supported the project. "While Enbridge North Dakota filed 15 letters in support, a number of parties protested the filing and in those protests stated that Enbridge North Dakota itself has indicated there may be over two hundred shippers on the system," FERC said in its ruling. For that reason, FERC said, it turned down the Enbridge application, although Enbridge is free to reapply with "rates fully supported pursuant to the commission's regulations or an uncontested settlement." Two FERC commissioners, in a dissenting opinion, warned that, "In declining to address Enbridge North Dakota's request, today's order results in a complete dismissal of the pipeline's proposal that will unduly delay much needed investment in infrastructure." Enbridge did not immediately respond to a request for comment.