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.