Hoeven: Record of Decision for Dakota Access Pipeline Gives Long-Term Certainty for Energy Production in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Hoeven recently spoke with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle to discuss bringing this regulatory process to a close and outline the Decision, which: Is the final approval required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Reinstates the easement for DAPL to cross Lake Oahe. Ensures the pipeline operations are maintained. Hoeven previously worked to move the NEPA process forward, having repeatedly discussed this issue with Army Corps officials. Today’s ROD aligns with the priorities Hoeven advanced with the Corps and will provide certainty for energy production in North Dakota and the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation over the long-term. “Our energy producers rely on DAPL to bring more than a half a million barrels per day of North Dakota’s light, sweet crude to market. I want to thank Assistant Secretary Telle for working with us to secure the Record of Decision and put the regulatory uncertainty surrounding this critical energy infrastructure to rest, giving long-term certainty to our state’s oil and gas industry,” said Senator Hoeven. “That’s important, not only because pipelines are the safest and most reliable method for transporting oil, but because it supports the good-paying jobs and tremendous government revenues that energy production provides to benefit the people of North Dakota and the MHA Nation.” “This Record of Decision, fought for by President Trump and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a major win for American energy security and the rule of law,” said National Energy Dominance Council Chairman and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “After years of delays and political obstruction from the Biden administration, the Dakota Access Pipeline can finally move forward with certainty. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deserves recognition for their diligent work in completing this process. This decision supports American jobs, strengthens energy independence, and reaffirms this administration’s commitment to building the infrastructure our country depends on.” “With the completion of this Environmental Impact Statement and this Record of Decision, we are decisively putting years of delays to rest and moving out to safely execute this crossing beneath Lake Oahe,” said Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are delivering the clear, consistent regulatory decisions required to provide certainty to the American economy and advance President Trump’s American energy dominance agenda, while protecting our natural resources.” “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to ensuring protection of the Missouri River and Lake Oahe while carrying out its responsibilities under federal law,” said U.S. Army Col. Robert Newbauer, Omaha District commander. “This decision reflects a comprehensive analysis of environmental impacts, reliability, and safety, informed by public input and government-to-government consultation with Tribes.” -###-