Following the announcement that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would not issue an easement to Dakota Access at this time for the crossing of Lake Oahe, Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics issued a statement declaring the decision a “purely political action.”
According to the statement, “For more than three years now, Dakota Access Pipeline has done nothing but play by the rules. The Army Corps of Engineers agrees, and has said so publicly and in federal court filings. The Corps’ review process and its decisions have been ratified by two federal courts. The Army Corps confirmed this again today when it stated its ‘policy decision’ does ‘not alter the Army’s position that the Corps’ prior reviews and actions have comported with legal requirements.’”
“The White House’s directive today to the Corps for further delay is just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency.”
The companies remain committed to ensuring that the project will be completed and will move forward.