Multiple news agencies are reporting that Donald Trump has signed an executive order greenlighting the construction of both the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota and the intracontinental Keystone XL Pipeline, under the condition that the parts be locally made.
“From now on, we are going to start making pipelines in the United States,” he said.
This comes after both pipelines were put on hold or blocked due to overarching environmental and property concerns stemming from their construction or operation.
Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers recommended a reroute of DAPL away from Lake Oahe in North Dakota as the only way they’d approve continued construction. Energy Transfer Partners maintains that the Pipeline would be safe on its current trajectory, which takes it under Lake Oahe.
Standing Rock Sioux and other water protectors are continuing to protest its construction.
Keystone XL was blocked by former President Barack Obama under similar environmental concerns in 2015.