North Dakota – Gov. Kelly Armstrong responded to the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to shut down the Dakota Access Pipeline, reaffirming the project’s importance to North Dakota’s energy infrastructure.
U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled against the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s attempt to halt pipeline operations, a case that had been ongoing for years. The pipeline, which began transporting crude oil in June 2017, has remained a point of contention between energy advocates and tribal leaders concerned about environmental and cultural impacts.
Armstrong welcomed the court’s decision, emphasizing the pipeline’s role in maintaining energy security. “The Dakota Access Pipeline has been operating safely for almost eight years now and is a critical piece of infrastructure for North Dakota and our nation’s energy security,” he stated.
He also urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to finalize its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a process that has prolonged legal disputes over the project. “We are pleased with the court’s decision, and we will continue pressing the Army Corps of Engineers to issue a final EIS that puts an end to this drawn-out matter once and for all,” Armstrong added.
The ruling marks another legal victory for supporters of the pipeline, though opposition from tribal groups and environmental activists is expected to continue.
