[News] Dakota Access Pipeline expansion approved; Keystone XL on horizon

[Anti-Imperialist News]

https://www.lakotalaw.org/

Lakota Law

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you with some unfortunate news: 
on Wednesday, the North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) approved 
the expansion of the Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) in a 3-0 vote. If the 
pipeline's operators get the same approval in Iowa and Illinois, DAPL’s 
capacity will double to carry over a million barrels of oil per day.

Lakota Law 
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/15235934/160596682/-1085536328?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU4MDcwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjBhNDY1NWRlLTRkNTQtZWExMS1hOTRjLTAwMTU1ZDAzOWU3NCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiY2xhdWRlQGZyZWVkb21hcmNoaXZlcy5vcmciDQp9&hmac=AN3xfVTrF_Hy9L6HSo3l4a2E1pActTgXX5ihZxtS69M=>
The North Dakota Public Service Commission has allowed an expansion 
doubling the oil flow through the Dakota Access pipeline. In our video 
from the original hearing, you can watch oil industry engineers 
dissembling about the impacts.

Once again, my people and homelands are intentionally ignored in the 
interest of increasing profits for the fossil fuel industry. As Standing 
Rock citizens, my relatives and I will be forced to bear the threat DAPL 
poses to our water and land. And every human being will now face the 
danger of increased oil production as our climate warms.

We were at the hearing on DAPL expansion in Linton, North Dakota last 
November. We helped the tribe muster opposition. And we watched as gas 
and oil employees and their attorneys lied about the risks. *You can 
watch our video showing those lies here. 
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/15235935/160596683/-1085536328?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU4MDcwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjBhNDY1NWRlLTRkNTQtZWExMS1hOTRjLTAwMTU1ZDAzOWU3NCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiY2xhdWRlQGZyZWVkb21hcmNoaXZlcy5vcmciDQp9&hmac=AN3xfVTrF_Hy9L6HSo3l4a2E1pActTgXX5ihZxtS69M=>* 
We know the truth: more oil = more risk.

North Dakota’s PSC claimed in its announcement yesterday that expansion 
was in the best interest of the state’s citizens, but this of course 
ignores the valid concerns raised by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe about 
the increased threat of surging. And when the Tribe requested more 
information from Dakota Access about the risks that doubling oil flow 
could hold for tribal water supplies, the PSC denied the request, citing 
bureaucratic procedure.

All pipelines leak. In the 15 years before DAPL began operations, 60 
leaks spilled more than 42,000 barrels of toxic crude oil in North 
Dakota alone. This was the reason we stood in prayerful resistance to 
stop DAPL. It is why we faced rubber bullets, attack dogs, and water 
cannons. We are facing down a threat to our water, and now that threat 
is heightened.

We will, however, press on. With Keystone XL on the horizon, we’re 
readying for another battle for our water, and this time we intend to 
win. We’re also planning major initiatives on voting in Indian Country 
during this critical election cycle, and we’re breaking ground on a 
major festival and teach-in later this year at Standing Rock that will 
bring musicians, activists, and scientists together to confront the 
climate crisis.

We hope you stay with us in the fight against the madness of continued 
dependence on fossil fuels. Time is short. To protect all life on earth 
we need to act immediately.

Sincerely,

Phyllis Young
Standing Rock Organizer
The Lakota People's Law Project

Lakota People's Law Project 
<https://click.everyaction.com/k/15235936/160596684/-1448206375?utm_source=ea&utm_medium=email&utm_content=footbannerlink&emci=829de6ea-2654-ea11-a94c-00155d039e74&emdi=0a4655de-4d54-ea11-a94c-00155d039e74&ceid=4606549&sourceid=1037517&nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwMS8xLzU4MDcwIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjBhNDY1NWRlLTRkNTQtZWExMS1hOTRjLTAwMTU1ZDAzOWU3NCIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiY2xhdWRlQGZyZWVkb21hcmNoaXZlcy5vcmciDQp9&hmac=AN3xfVTrF_Hy9L6HSo3l4a2E1pActTgXX5ihZxtS69M=>

Lakota People's Law Project
547 South 7th Street #149
Bismarck, ND 58504-5859


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