Statements from Associations and Unions on Corps Further Delay of DAPL

A chorus of voices continue to decry and demand the approval the Dakota Access Pipeline following the Corps decision to further delay a project that has already been extensively reviewed and approved by four state agencies and the federal government. Statements from the NAM, API, IUOE, and AOPL are included below.

Americans Have Demanded Change: Manufacturers Respond to President’s Decision on DAPL
National Association of Manufacturers, November 14, 2016

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement on President Obama’s decision to continue to delay approval of a key portion of the Dakota Access Pipeline project:

“Americans demanded change last week. Disregard for the rule of law and bad decisions from Washington, like the one today, are why so many have been frustrated and sought change.

“Manufacturers in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Arkansas and many other states who signed on to supply this project are now left hanging in continuing regulatory limbo and must come to grips with today’s wrongheaded decision.

“We look forward to working with the next administration on access to our energy to fix this mess, as the president-elect has indicated that he values the importance of energy infrastructure.”

Learn more about the importance of investing in our nation’s infrastructure, including ways to advance energy infrastructure, by reading the NAM’s Building to Win initiative.

API questions Obama administration action to delay the Dakota Access Pipeline
WASHINGTON, November 14, 2016 – API Midstream Group Director Robin Rorick questioned actions by the Obama administration to unilaterally delay construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

“It defies logic that the Obama administration would ignore the rule of law by unilaterally delaying this critical infrastructure that would create American jobs and benefit American consumers,” said API Midstream Group Director Robin Rorick. “This project went through an established, open and transparent permitting process where comments from numerous stakeholders were considered. The administration’s actions to further delay this project with no legal justification contradict multiple court rulings; set a dangerous precedent for other infrastructure projects including roads, bridges and electricity transmission lines; and ignore calls to uphold the rule of law by the governors of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.

“Modernizing our infrastructure helps move energy our nation demands more efficiently, helps save consumers money, and provides tens of thousands of well-paying jobs. It’s unfortunate that the Obama administration would turn its back on its own citizens and put politics over sound public policy. I hope the administration reconsiders today’s action for the good of our nation’s energy future.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.

IUOE Calls for Immediate Issuance of Easement for Dakota Access

WASHINGTON, DC – James T. Callahan, General President of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), issued the following statement regarding the Dakota Access pipeline:

“The Administration’s announcement today raises more questions than it answers. The United States cannot afford to further delay the Dakota Access pipeline and throw workers off a job at the tail end of the construction season in the High Plains. The project has jumped through every regulatory hoop and cleared every hurdle in a rigorous, years-long permitting process and is nearly built.

The Administration has failed to identify what could realistically be achieved by more review. Despite years of study and hundreds of meetings that the Army Corps has conducted with tribes, farmers and communities along the route, the Administration insists on more meetings. The uncertainty looming over this project for construction workers, law enforcement and other companies looking to invest in energy infrastructure has gone on long enough.

As we near the end of this construction season, employment in the oil and gas pipeline industry continues its downward spiral, down by over 20% in the last two years. It is high time to finish this vital domestic energy project.”

AOPL: Pipeline Operators Decry Continued Administration Interference in Pipeline Approval Process

WASHINGTON, DC – The Association of Oil Pipe Lines (AOPL) decried the current administration’s continued refusal today to grant final approval for the Dakota Access Pipeline project even while admitting previous project decisions met legal requirements.

“This administration continues to astonish after admitting previous Dakota Access pipeline decisions were legal, which include the environmental and cultural finding of no significant impact, they are still refusing to provide final approval for the project,” said Andrew Black, AOPL President and CEO.

In July, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a formal Finding of No Significant Impact after conducting an environmental review of the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the NEPA review represents the federal government’s official assessment of the environmental and cultural impacts of the project.

Dakota Access’s federal NEPA review found the proposed route for the pipeline is the preferred alternative and would have less of an impact on the environment than all other alternatives, including a different route of the pipeline or no pipeline at all.

A federal district court judge in September found the 250 interactions between the Corps, Dakota Access representatives and consulting tribal, cultural and historic representatives met or exceed the Corps’ legal obligations.

The administration after announcing in September an unprecedented halt to the approval process to conduct a review of previous agency actions has now “concluded that [the Corps’] previous decisions comported with legal requirements.” And yet, the administration in its November 14, 2016, letter to stakeholders still questions whether it will grant the final easement for the project.

The administration’s refusal to approve Dakota Access after finding the project meets its environmental and cultural obligations and admitting these findings were legal denies American workers the good-paying jobs this project will create. Refusing to approve Dakota Access denies American consumers the potential to benefit from lower prices additional supplies of energy transported by pipeline will bring.

AOPL urges the administration to respect the legal environmental and consultation approvals Dakota Access has already obtained and grant final approval to this project.

MAIN Coalition Members Speak Out on USACE Indecision

In light of yesterday’s announcement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, MAIN Coalition Members and Advisors spoke out on the decision to further delay the state-of-the-art Dakota Access Pipeline:

James “Spider” Marks, Major General (US Army retired), President of The Marks Collective
“The announcement today will lead to weeks of increasingly dangerous confrontations between police officers and professional agitators. The safety of local police and security forces, the citizens of North Dakota, workers on the ground, Tribal members, and the protestors themselves are now at further risk. Moreover, the continuing delay will push into the North Dakota winter, endangering the children and elderly who have chosen to camp out near Cannonball.”

“The “interests of individuals living in the general area of the right-of-way” that the U.S. Army Corps cites in their statement would best be served by rapid conclusion of this extended process and allowing the project to proceed. Since the Obama Administration intervened in September, more than 400 people have been arrested, hundreds of law enforcement pulled off other jobs to address the violent nature of some protests, and cattle and local livestock slaughtered. The 90-120 days of activity to finish this legally permitted project is critical to putting this community back together and restoring peace. This effort is motivated by a strategic imperative of enhancing and furthering national energy independence. This project has been as thoroughly vetted as any in history. Additional delays seem wasteful and solely politically motivated.”

Ron Ness, President, North Dakota Petroleum Council
“We are troubled by the decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which directly contradicts the will of four separate state governments, an original, thorough assessment of the project by the federal government, as well as two federal court rulings in favor of completing construction.

The risk of a potential spill has been thoroughly studied and extensive safety measures have been implemented to ensure the safe operation of the pipeline. By further delaying the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Corps of Engineers will only bring more instability to North Dakota, as protesters continue to threaten private property and workers along the pipeline route.”

Andy Peterson, President, North Dakota Chamber
“The Obama Administration’s decision to unnecessarily further halt the Dakota Access pipeline, in the name of additional consultation, runs counter to the thorough and careful process undertaken by the men and women of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and North Dakota’s Public Service Commission. Two federal courts have upheld the process and agreed that the consultative process was thorough and complete. In addition, careful consideration was taken to the routing location of the pipeline and extensive safety mechanisms were included in its design to ensure the safe operation of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Our state deserves the opportunity to build and operate this project – to delay the project because of a 1,000 feet crossing – is unfair to North Dakotans who rely on our state’s energy resources to fuel and drive our economy. The Administration should strongly reconsider their decision.”

Mike Ralston, President, Iowa Association of Business and Industry
“I am disappointed by the decision to further delay this important national energy infrastructure project. Dakota Access has undergone extensive review and consultation at both the state and federal levels. The delay to a project that is already 84% complete is unfair to our state, the men and women building the project and all those involved from the top to the bottom of the supply chain. We have already seen the extent to which additional delay can have – violence, destruction of equipment, and threats against the individuals building or supporting the project. Enough is enough – the project should not be delayed any further.”

Bill Gerhard, President, Iowa State Building and Construction Trades Council
“The Obama administration’s decision to continue delaying the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline threatens the safety and jobs of thousands of Americans and jeopardizes billions of dollars in future development. Dakota Access has lawfully sought and received all of the necessary state and federal approvals, but now, after the project is over 84 percent complete, the White House wants to change the rules. This unprecedented action is harmful to American workers, businesses, and all those who depend on reliable infrastructure.”

Ed Wiederstein, Chairman, MAIN Coalition
“The decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to further delay the Dakota Access Pipeline and not grant the final easement today is extremely disheartening. This pipeline was thoroughly reviewed for nearly two years by the federal and four state governments, including by the Corps of Engineers.
This political decision to postpone construction jeopardizes the safety of all those who live and work near the project. The MAIN Coalition continues to stand for the approval of the Dakota Access Pipeline in accordance with the will of the states, the original assessment by the Corps of Engineers, and the rulings of two United States Federal Courts.”

Chad Carter, IUOE Local 234
“The announcement today by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers only threatens further instability and continued protests on the Dakota Access Pipeline job sites, where hard working Americans are being threatened with violence just for showing up to work.”
“This decision will only further enflame protesters who have no regard for the rule of law, and will continue to intimidate workers, threaten acts of violence, and resist lawful removal by police. This decision undermining of the regulatory review process represents a threat to the future of infrastructure projects, and the future of American jobs for years to come.”

Dawna Leitzke, Executive Director, South Dakota Petroleum and Propane Marketers Association
“Today’s decision to again delay the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline represents an unprecedented step in the wrong direction for the future of American energy independence. This fully approved and permitted project is over 80 percent built, yet Washington has now decided to upend existing law at the peril of American workers and businesses.”

Dakota Access Pipeline Making A Difference In Iowa

A few years ago an independent study found that construction of the pipeline in Iowa would amount to $628 million in direct economic benefits while also generating millions in added sales and property taxes. These numbers seemed impressive on paper, but today, the tangible impact they are having is nothing short of extraordinary.

In fact, a recent article published by the Sioux City Journal highlighted just how the $3.8 billion project is making a difference in communities across Northwest Iowa. For many, the impact of the project was felt not long after construction began with workers and their families delivering local businesses an entirely new customer base.

“It’s always hard to gauge the direct economic impact, but you can see those people around,” said Curt Strouth of the Sheldon, Iowa, Chamber and Development Corp. “We definitely noticed the workforce that came through. It’s been a definite influx.”

Similarly, Lyon County Development director Steve Simmons says the influx of pipeline workers has benefited small businesses in the county. “They did see a nice bump in business during the construction process,” Simons said.

In Buena Vista County, Gary Lalone, executive director of Storm Lake United, echoed both Simmons and Strouth. “I know our campground is full. I know a lot of those people, when they come off of work, are in our restaurants and bars,” he said.

This is not the first story we’ve read about the positive contribution the Dakota Access Pipeline is making in communities across the Midwest, but it is a good reminder that, despite the constant flow of political rhetoric, this project is quietly helping others succeed.

Dakota Access Pipeline Construction Making Economic Impact

The walk to get to dinner or a movie in downtown Cherokee has gotten a little longer since late spring, when parking became harder to come by. With a number of construction workers involved with the Dakota Access oil pipeline and other major projects taking up temporary residence here, businesses in Cherokee and other Northwest Iowa cities and towns are seeing a healthy revenue boost. “In the evenings, there are very few parking spots available,” Cherokee city manager Sam Kooiker said. “There are a lot of people downtown in the evenings. It’s been exciting.”

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Energy Supply Chain Industries, Workers Urge Dakota Access Completion

A coalition of some of the nation’s top energy supply chain industries and workers has come together to urge President Obama to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) to be completed. In a new letter, leaders of 18 different organizations called on Obama to support infrastructure development, quoting his 2015 State of the Union Address that called for just that.

“21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure ‐‐ modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this,” President Obama said.

Furthermore, the letter notes the extensive permitting process that DAPL underwent as well as the monumental amount of capital the project has already injected into the U.S. economy.

Wednesday’s letter comes just two days after the heads of five trade unions called on Obama to allow the project to move forward, saying that current delays have already resulted in lost jobs and threaten many more.

Midwest Region Experiences Economic Boon from Dakota Access

Communities along the Dakota Access Pipeline route are experiencing an uptick in economic activity as construction of the multibillion dollar project shifts into full gear. Local businesses across the region are benefiting from a surge in new customers that have come to work on the landmark infrastructure project. In total, the project is expected to create upwards of 12,000 new jobs and inject more than $156 million in additional sales and income taxes.

Moody’s Investors Service calls Dakota Access Pipeline a “credit positive” for 18 Iowa counties in its latest Weekly Credit Outlook for Public Finance. “Moody’s Investors Service says the Iowa Utilities Board’s recent approval of construction for the $3.8 billion Bakken oil pipeline is “credit positive” for 18 Iowa counties along the four-state pipeline route. Moody’s provides financial research on bonds issued by commercial and government organizations and is considered one of the Big Three credit rating agencies. In its latest Weekly Credit Outlook for Public Finance, Moody’s says the pipeline will generate new and recurring property tax revenues and will temporarily increase sales taxes.” (Source: Des Moines Register, 6/24/16)

Small-town economies in Southern North Dakota enjoy much needed boost from pipeline construction. Grocer Todd Mulske in Linton says he’s having trouble keeping steaks in the cooler and potato chips on the shelf. He owns the Linton Food Center and like everyone in the area, he has been noticing the new people in town: welders, excavators and pipeline workers of all stripes. Many show up in the store at about 5 to 6 p.m., looking for something to throw on the grill for supper and pack in the lunchbox for the next day’s work. “Right now, we’re trying to keep up,” Mulske said. “The store’s been crazy.” (Source: Bismarck Tribune, 6/11/16)

  • Local campgrounds full because of pipeline construction. Tiffany Heer, owner of Bayside Resort, a busy campground, store and restaurant just a few miles south of the pipeline route, said she’s got 55 pipeline workers living in campers there. Heer said she’s kept some spots available for locals who like to camp near the water and she’s putting in 18-hour days to keep up, putting out food until late and out of bed before sunrise to open the store and restaurant. “I like the energy that’s coming with the pipeline. It’s such a nice thing to see happen to our local community,” she said.” (Source: Bismarck Tribune, 6/11/16)
  • Family-owned ice cream store in Emmons County seeing record sales. “We’ve just met a lot of really nice, wonderful people from all over the U.S. and it’s just made our first year a huge success and very fulfilling to be a new business owner.” (Source: KXMC-TV, 6/24/16)

KXNet.com – Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Jacksonville mayor welcomes workers, says pipeline will boost city and county revenues.  “Signs welcoming the workers also have been posted by a variety of businesses, including restaurants, said Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard, who added that the spending should provide at least a short-term revenue boost for the city of 19,500. “There’s signs around town welcoming them to come in,” said Ezard. “There’s definitely going to be an economic impact on the city and the county, at least for a while.”” (Source: State Journal-Register, 6/11/16)