05.21.21

Hoeven Statement on Ruling Allowing DAPL to Continue Operating

Senator Has Pressed Administration, Corps to Keep DAPL Operational, Provide Proper Consultation with State of ND, Three Affiliated Tribes

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement regarding U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s ruling on the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). 

“This ruling is welcome news for North Dakota, the Three Affiliated Tribes and our country’s economic and national security,” said Hoeven. “The Dakota Access Pipeline was built with the latest technology and safeguards and has safely operated for the last four years. We need infrastructure like this to support a growing economy and for our country to remain energy independent. That’s why we’ve repeatedly made the case to President Biden, the administration and the Corps to keep the pipeline flowing while the court-ordered environmental review moves forward, and today’s ruling does just that.” 

Hoeven has been pressing for the pipeline’s continued operation, including:

  • Hand-delivering to President Biden letters from Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Mark Fox and North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, emphasizing the need to keep DAPL operational while the Army Corps completes its court-ordered review.
  • Repeatedly speaking with Army Corps Chief Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, as well as Brigadier General Peter Helmlinger, to help ensure the federal court allows adequate time for tribal and state consultation and to help prevent a shutdown of DAPL.

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