In January, a coalition of Native American and environmental activists said they planned to block the proposed Diamond Pipeline, a $900 million project that will carry crude oil from the Cushing refinery hub toward Tennessee.
Despite the law, a lead opposition organizer said that the rush to strengthen Oklahoma's trespassing laws won't deter the movement.
Gov. Mary Fallin on Wednesday signed a bill that would levy steep fines or prison time against people convicted of trespassing at a critical infrastructure facility to impede operations. That includes pipelines, refineries, chemical plants, railways and other industrial sites.
The bill went into effect when she signed it.
Someone charged under the new law could face a $10,000 fine and up to a year in jail if they intend to halt progress of a pipeline or otherwise interfere with operations. The penalty increases to 10 years and $100,000 if the person is successful at damaging, vandalizing, defacing or tampering with equipment.
The fine for just trespassing at a critical infrastructure site would be at least $1,000, but the Legislature did not include an upper limit.
“This law isn't about lost hunters or misplaced campers,” said state Rep. Scott Biggs, R-Chickasha. “This law is about protecting our state's most important and critical infrastructure by holding those who seek to do our state harm accountable.”
