Dakota Access Pipeline to Shut Down Pending Review, [Obama] Federal Judge Rules

The New York Times ^ | July 6, 2020 | Jacey Fortin and Lisa Friedman

[JeepersFreepers]

The Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil route from North Dakota to Illinois that has inspired intense protests and legal battles, must shut down pending an environmental review and be emptied of oil by Aug. 5, a district court ruled on Monday. It essentially vacates a federal permit that had allowed the pipeline to operate while the United States Army Corps of Engineers, which had granted the permits for the pipeline, conducted an extensive environmental impact review.

The decision, which could be subject to appeal, is a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other Native American and environmental groups who have fought the project for years, and a significant defeat for President Trump, who has sought to keep the Dakota Access Pipeline alive.

“Today is a historic day for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the many people who have supported us in the fight against the pipeline,” Mike Faith, the chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said in a statement.

In his opinion, Judge Boasberg wrote that the court was “mindful of the disruption such a shutdown will cause” but that it had to consider the “potential harm each day the pipeline operates.”

“This is shocking news,” said Ron Ness, the president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, adding that the pipeline has operated reliably for years, and that the ruling would hurt the state’s economy and encourage other, less safe means of oil transportation.

The Dakota Access Pipeline has been carrying oil for three years.

[gattaca]

Thanks for that link. Interesting.

[Sam Gamgee]

Yup, can’t have red states being successful and having the lowest unemployment numbers.

[Sam Gamgee]

Interesting, I owned Enbridge for short few weeks then sold it for a small profit. Timing it to get back in.

[Sam Gamgee]

Until Trump came to office I had no idea that district and federal judges had so much power. They have the power to shut down entire industries now?

[Sam Gamgee]

So one the companies I was looking to invest in relies on Dakota to get the oil to market. So now they have to go back using rail. Hurray for the idiot judge sending oil by much less safe rail.