WASHINGTON–Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its intention to grant an easement for the Dakota Access pipeline. Institute for Energy Research President Thomas Pyle issued the following statement of support:
“The days of slow-walking and obstructing pipeline projects are clearly over. Today, the Army Corps of Engineers did what it should have done months ago by approving a pipeline that went through a lawful environmental and cultural review. The previous administration ignored this lawful review and blocked the Dakota Access pipeline simply to appease the ‘keep it in the ground’ lobby and its celebrity followers.
“Today’s news is bigger than any one pipeline. Pipelines are critical to safely and efficiently transporting the very energy resources that American families and businesses rely on every day. This decision shows that the Trump administration is serious about ensuring Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy and good-paying jobs.
“We sincerely hope that the leaders of the protest movement respect this decision and discourage any further escalation of tension in the region.”
