Army Corps’ Latest Filing Reaffirms Position on Dakota Access Operations
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers yesterday reiterated its position with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regarding the continued operations of the Dakota Access pipeline – advocating for its ability to continue transporting crude oil while the Corps completes additional environmental review.
In a hearing last month, the Corps told U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg that they had no immediate plans to force a DAPL closure. Yesterday, the Corps reaffirmed that position and stated opponents have “not met the applicable standard” required for injunction to be granted to shutter DAPL, and that “the Corps is not aware of information that would cause it to evaluate the injunction factors differently than in its previous filing.”
The Corps estimates the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be completed in March of 2022.
DAPL has safely operated for nearly four years, transporting Bakken crude from North Dakota to an energy hub in Patoka, Illinois. It plays a critical role in our nation’s economy, ensuring access to reliable, domestic energy. Further, DAPL and other infrastructure investments bolster the United States’ energy and national security goals, reducing our dependence on foreign energy sources.
If DAPL is shuttered – even temporarily – more oil trucks and trains will be put on our roads and rails, which introduces new environmental concerns, additional safety hazards, and further wear and tear on our roadways.
Simply put, the Dakota Access Pipeline is the safest, most efficient, and most environmentally-conscious method of transporting the energy resources Americans rely on each and every day.