U.S. Chamber’s Energy Institute Slams Decision to Deny Easement for Dakota Access Pipeline

Press Release
December 5, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ decision supported by the Obama administration to deny the final easement needed for the Dakota Access pipeline, Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st  Century Energy, issued the following statement:

“The Obama administration sent a clear message: if your special interest-funded protest is loud enough and has enough celebrities tweeting their support, then the rule of law and the facts no longer matter. 

“By capitulating to protesters, the Obama administration is putting an exclamation point on its eight year record of anti-growth energy policies. The Army Corps decision to deny the Dakota Access pipeline a final easement will only embolden special interest groups to continue their deceptive tactics, while scaring off job creators who are looking for opportunities to invest in America. Just as it did when it denied the Keystone XL pipeline, the administration is ignoring logic and an extensive review process in favor of extreme ideology. In this case, the Army Corps had already recommended approval of the easement after spending over 800 days reviewing the project.

“We are considering all potential remedies and look forward to the rule of law being reestablished as soon as possible.”

The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.