Megaloads security beefed up

LEWISTON – ExxonMobil has hired off-duty police in Lewiston to provide extra security for its refinery equipment during an environmental conference taking place near the Idaho-Montana border.

Company spokesman Pius Rolheiser says the security measure comes in the wake of potential threats from members of Earth First!, which is holding its annual meeting in the nearby Lolo National Forest.

The group has been critical of the company’s plans to ship massive, oversized loads of equipment along a scenic byway in North Idaho en route to the Kearl Oil Sands in southern Alberta, Canada.

Officials from the group had previously announced plans to stage civil disobedience today against the shipments.