WASHINGTON: The actress Daryl Hannah has been arrested in front of the White House along with other environmental protesters who oppose a planned oil pipeline from Canada to refineries on the US Gulf Coast.

The sit-in involved dozens protesting the $US7 billion ($6.56 billion) Keystone XL pipeline. It is planned to pass through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur, Texas.

Hannah, 50, was among more than 70 people arrested.

In March, Hannah went to Salt Lake City to show her support for the Utah environmental activist Tim DeChristopher as he was standing trial on two criminal charges for disrupting an oil and gas lease auction.

The US District Judge Dee Benson sentenced DeChristopher to two years in prison.

Before she was arrested, Hannah said the protesters wanted to be free from dependence on fossil fuels. The group called for clean energy investments instead.

Hannah said they hoped the President, Barack Obama, will not bow to oil lobbyists.

Hannah sat down on the footpath near the White House and refused orders from US Park Police to move. She was released after paying a $US100 fine.

She has been arrested in the past for environmental causes.

Associated Press