November 2020 Vol. 75 No. 11
Newsline
Illinois Approves Dakota Access Pipeline Expansion
Illinois regulators have approved Energy Transfer’s request to expand the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) over the objections of environmentalists, who are seeking to not only block the expansion but to shut down DAPL’s existing operations.
The Illinois Commerce Commission concluded that the expansion would promote the security and convenience of the public.
“We are pleased with the decision by the ICC,” Energy Transfer spokeswoman Lisa Coleman said. “This now allows us to proceed with the optimization of the pipeline and allows our labor union partners to go to work."
DAPL is the largest pipeline out of North Dakota’s Bakken Basin, with capacity to transport 570,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to the U.S. Midwest and, through connections, to the U.S. Gulf Coast. The planned expansion approved by the ICC in October would add pumping stations and equipment to nearly double capacity to 1.1 million bpd.
Industry advocates lauded the ICC’s decision as a job creator that will help the region’s economic recovery.
“It’s critical we continue to support and expand our nation’s pipeline infrastructure like DAPL to help family budgets and keep our economy moving – especially in this time of recovery from COVID-19,” said Chris Ventura, Midwest director for the Consumer Energy Alliance.
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