Dakota Access Pipeline Gets Green Light, But With Conditions to Protect Environment

The US Army Corps of Engineers has released a long-awaited Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline, recommending its continued operation with certain safeguards in place. This development is a significant win for Energy Transfer, the pipeline's operator, and brings the company one step closer to ending a lengthy court battle with Native American tribes who have been fighting to shut down the pipeline. The 1,100-mile crude pipeline, which transports up to 750,000 barrels of oil per day from North Dakota to Illinois, has been a source of contention due to concerns over water quality. The pipeline runs through Lake Oahe, near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, sparking fears among the tribes about potential environmental risks. To mitigate these concerns, the US Army Corps of Engineers has recommended the deployment of new leak detection technology, as well as regular groundwater monitoring, fish tissue residue analyses, and water and sediment sampling. These measures are aimed at ensuring the pipeline's operation does not harm the environment. A US court ordered the federal government to conduct a more intensive Environmental Impact Statement in 2022, as part of the ongoing dispute between Energy Transfer and the Native American tribes. While the recommendation is a significant development, it remains unclear whether it will be implemented. The Dakota Access Pipeline has continued to operate while the review was being carried out, and its fate remains uncertain.