DAPL Parent Company Denounces Obama Admin Easement Delay

The parent companies of the Dakota Access Pipeline—Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco Logistics Partners—sharply denounced yesterday’s announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to delay issuing the final easement needed to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota. In a joint statement, the project’s backers called the move “unjust and a reinforcement of the Administration’s lack of interest in enforcing and abiding by the law.”

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP) and Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SXL) denounced today’s announcement by the Army Corps of Engineers regarding Dakota Access Pipeline’s authority to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota as unjust and a reinforcement of the Administration’s lack of interest in enforcing and abiding by the law. Furthermore, there was no legal or factual justification stated by the Corps for the delay. In fact, the Corps admitted again today that its review had concluded that all previous decisions complied with all applicable legal requirements.

The Corps knows full well that it is seeking additional consultation with a party that has steadfastly refused to consult. Rather than holding Standing Rock Sioux Tribe accountable for its decisions over the past three years, it seeks to reward them at this late date.

“This action is motivated purely by politics at the expense of a company that has done nothing but play by the rules it was given,” said Kelcy Warren, CEO of Energy Transfer Partners. “To propose, as the Corps now does, to further delay this pipeline and to engage in what can only be described as a sham process sends a frightening message about the rule of law.”

Dakota Access is fully confident that the previous review process conducted by the Corps was extremely thorough and comprehensive. The Corps has supported and defended this process in two federal courts and has been upheld both times.

Dakota Access will vigorously pursue its legal rights in this matter.

The joint statement echoes the MAIN Coalition’s immediate response to this unprecedented, extrajudicial action.


Kelcy Warren Sets Record Straight on Dakota Access, Again

Today, a letter by Kelcy Warren, the chairman of the Dakota Access Pipeline’s parent company Energy Transfer Partners, surfaced in response to an Oct. 26 letter, which contained a litany of factually incorrect statements made by the Indigo Girls and multiple other leading folk music artists. The musical groups have attempted to use false information about the pipeline to politicize their participation in Warren’s popular charity event to help children’s organizations.

In Warren’s letter, he states, “Your letter reinforces the reality that DAPL has become a source of contention among some of the Native American community and environmental activists. However, the deliberate misinformation that has been disseminated via online outlets and social media and by those speaking to the media without regard for the truth is troubling. The misinformation intentionally omits the real facts about DAPL, the approval and careful permitting processes over the last four years and the significant efforts undertaken by ETP to be good stewards of natural resources.”

Warren goes on to outline the facts about Dakota Access, including that the pipeline does not cross the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, was approved by state and federal agencies, and was subject to an extensive consultation process.

“During the planning process for the project, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe rejected numerous overtures from a number of agencies and from Energy Transfer to directly participate in the dialogue concerning DAPL, however, the tribe did meet with the Army Corp on a number of occasions and ultimately a route was specifically chosen to avoid the tribe’s land in North Dakota.”

In closing, Warren underscores Energy Transfer Partners’ and Dakota Access’ commitment to environmental stewardship, while also recognizing that fossil fuels continue to play a pivotal role in everyday life.

Read Warren’s full letter here.