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Environment

Trump Is Expected to Advance the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines

The president is slated to sign two executive actions Tuesday that will advance construction on the controversial pipelines, despite outcry from various environmental groups.
Photo via Flickr user

Donald Trump is expected to sign two executive actions Tuesday that would advance the construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, Politico reports.

Both pipelines have faced intense opposition from environmental groups and Native American tribes concerned that construction could wreak havoc on the environment and continue the country's reliance on fossil fuels. Obama rejected TransCanada Corp's Keystone pipeline in 2015 and halted construction on Energy Transfer Partners LP's 1,000-mile Dakota Access Pipeline in December after enormous protests at the Sioux tribe's Standing Rock reservation.

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On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would bring crude oil from Alberta, Canada, down to Texas and proponents believe could create more jobs. He also said he supported the Dakota Access Pipeline, despite the Standing Rock protests.

According to Bloomberg, TransCanada would have to submit another application to build the Keystone pipeline and would have to convince the new administration of its benefit to the US, despite already being vetted and rejected under Obama.

Trump outlined his views on environmental issues on Tuesday in a meeting with various auto executives, NBC News reports.

"I am, to a large extent, an environmentalist," he said. "I believe in it, but it's out of control."

We're tracking the laws and executive orders Trump signs in his first year in office. The updated list is here.