On Sunday, protestors of the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline were given wonderful news. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with input from President Obama, decided not to grant the easement to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, much to the delight and relief of native residents. A spokeswoman for the Army Corps said they will be exploring alternative routes for the pipeline following Sunday’s decision, while also ordering an environmental impact statement with public input and analysis.
The decision by the Army Corps to recognize the rights and concerns of indigenous peoples is certainly encouraging, but these recent developments do not signal the end of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Opposition from elected officials has already begun pouring in, along with Energy Transfer’s insistence that the pipeline will continue to be built as planned, regardless of Sunday’s easement denial. The battle to stop the pipeline is far from being decided as the incoming presidential administration has already stated its intent to expand fossil fuel infrastructure.
“More threats are likely in the year to come, and we cannot stop until this pipeline is completely and utterly defeated, and our water and climate are safe,” Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network said in a statement following the Army Corps’ decision.
The determination and resolve shown by the Water Protectors in North Dakota should be a lesson to us that coordinated citizen action has the power to enact meaningful positive change. And for those fighting against fossil fuel expansion here in Pennsylvania, including Sunoco’s proposed Mariner East 2 pipeline, we can take heart that the environmental rights of citizens are still being taken into consideration.
Check back to our blog for more updates on the Dakota Access Pipeline, as well as ways you can continue to stand against further environmental degradation.