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PA Environmentalists Arrested Over XL Oil Pipeline

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Police in Philadelphia are starting to arrest a group of activists staging a protest over the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

About 40 environmentalists Monday have risked arrest by blocking an entrance to the William J. Green Building, near Independence Mall.

Approximately 100 others are on hand to support the Earth Quaker Action Team protest.

The demonstrators say the planned 1,100-mile pipeline from Canada to Texas poses serious environmental hazards.

President Barack Obama expects to make a decision on the project in the coming weeks.

Pipeline supporters, including lawmakers from both parties and many business and labor groups, say the project would create jobs and reduce the need for oil imports.

Opponents say the pipeline would carry "dirty oil" that contributes to global warming.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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