MAIN Coalition has released a statement regarding the administration's actions on the Dakota Access pipeline. The statement commented:
“The joint statement issued by the Department of Justice, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Interior immediately after Judge Boasberg's ruling is deeply troubling and could have a long lasting chilling effect on private infrastructure development in the US. Judge Boasberg had already issued a thoughtful, thorough decision agreeing that the Army Corps had done its job and had adequately consulted with and considered Tribal concerns; which in turn led to more than US$1.4 billion in investments by Energy Transfer Partners.
“It is also concerning that the federal government would threaten the livelihoods of thousands of workers who rely on good governance to support a stable workplace. Based on the Administration's actions today, these workers' jobs are in peril.
“Should the Administration ultimately stop this construction, it would set a horrific precedent. No sane American company would dare expend years of effort and billions of dollars weaving through an onerous regulatory process receiving all necessary permits and agreements, only to be faced with additional regulatory impediments and be shutdown halfway through completion of its project.
“We hope and trust that the government will base its final decision on sound science and engineering, not political winds or pressure.”
Adapted from press release by Anna Nicklin