BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Native American tribes opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline once again have asked a federal judge to stop the flow of oil while the legal battle over the line’s future plays out.
The Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes succeeded on their first attempt, only to have an appeals court overturn U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s shutdown order earlier this year. Now, the Bismarck Tribune reports, they’re asking the judge to clarify his shutdown ruling from this summer to satisfy the appellate judges and then to again order the line to cease operations.
Pipeline operator Energy Transfer and the Army Corps of Engineers both maintain the pipeline is safe. They have until Nov. 20 to file a formal response.
Energy Transfer recently received Illinois Commerce Commission approval to expand the capacity of the pipeline and pumping station at the Patoka Oil Tank Farm. It was the last regulatory hurdle for the expansion after earlier approval from North Dakota and Iowa.
