Judge Denies Developer's Request to Force Approval of Dakota Access Pipeline's Final Stage

A federal judge on Friday denied a request by Energy Transfer Partners LP to quickly force the federal government to approve the final link in its Dakota Access pipeline, but said he would take up the issue next year.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered lawyers for Energy Transfer Partners and the Justice Department to file motions by Jan. 31, according to a court order.

On Sunday, the Obama administration halted the nearly 1,200-mile oil pipeline by denying a permit needed to finish the route, when the Army Corps of Engineers said it wouldn't allow the company to cross beneath a Missouri River reservoir, the final 1,100-foot link to be built in the pipeline.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe, which has garnered international attention for its monthslong protest of the pipeline, had asked the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to stop the project, arguing the reservoir crossing could contaminate their water supply, which is 70 miles downstream from the project.

Energy Transfer Partners filed its own motion with the court, asking it to immediately approve the crossing, arguing the Army Corps of Engineers had already approved the reservoir crossing, and that the final, needed approval—an easement—is nothing more than a perfunctory "ministerial" document.

The litigation could be rendered moot when President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month, as he has voiced support for the project. A spokesman for Mr. Trump said Monday that the incoming administration supports completing it.

Energy Transfer Partners has said the delays have already cost it $450 million and that further delays could cost it $80 million a month in losses.

Representatives for the company and Justice Department didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

Write to Christopher M. Matthews at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 09, 2016 16:55 ET (21:55 GMT)

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