Work near the North-South Dakota state border south of the Standing Rock Sioux’s reservation has become problematic, drawing fire power from Gov. Jack Dalrymple, pipeline backers and opponents, and various levels of governmental officials in North Dakota.
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Tensions continue to rise over the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline (known also as the Bakken Pipeline), a proposed 1,172-mile project now under construction.
It will run 1,168 miles through Iowa, Illinois, and North and South Dakotas.
The ruling will be made on September 9th in Washington D.C.
Outside the court in the United States capital, environmental activists made their feelings clear.
The pipeline will be able to transport about 450,000 barrels per day with a capacity as high as 570,000 barrels per day or more, accounting for about half of Bakken current daily crude oil production.
Dallas-based operator Energy Transfer Partners didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press regarding when construction could restart.
“We’re concerned about the Native Americans and the threat to their water supply but we’re also concerned about the fossil fuel issue”, said Mr Bianchi, a Blue Mountain, Virginia native.
I have spent my life building infrastructure projects for our country, which is why when the IUB approved the pipeline months ago, I was relieved to know a steady paycheck would be in my future.
“Whatever the final outcome in court, I believe we have already established an important principle – that is, tribes will be heard on important matters that affect our vital interests”, said Standing Rock Sioux chairman David Archambault, who has previously said the project would “knowingly poison water”.
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Ms Little Shield describes the contested pipeline as personal. “[This] is yet another example of an oil pipeline project being permitted without adequate public engagement or sufficient environmental review”. She added that while permitless protesters can be ticketed by the Corps, only law enforcement are authorized to remove them. This is just another chapter in the government allowing a private company to take something that doesn’t belong to them just because they can. Protest groups in the state denied responsibility, but said they plan to continue peaceful demonstrations against the project. Standing Rock Sioux leaders are being represented by former North Dakota US Attorney Tim Purdon. Work was halted in recent weeks after activists escalated their protest against construction crews, who are guarded by police and armed contractors. Not everyone is in favor of stopping construction of the Dakota Access.
