President Trump’s Pipeline Orders Threaten Public Waters
By: Waterkeeper Alliance
Today, President Trump signed presidential memorandums to advance construction of the Dakota Access and the Keystone XL pipelines that will threaten the water supplies of millions, including the Standing Rock Sioux.
Waterkeeper Alliance, a global movement uniting more than 300 Waterkeeper Organizations and Affiliates across the world, says the order means dire consequences for the American people.
President Trump also signed an executive order to expedite environmental reviews of other infrastructure projects. Waterkeeper Alliance says this could allow potentially dangerous projects to move forward without regard to public safety or health.
Each year in the United States, oil pipelines spill an average of 11-million gallons. The Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines threaten the fishable, swimmable, drinkable water for millions and the viability of North American farmland.
“Clean energy is the future. It creates more jobs, more economic growth and makes us energy independent. Investing in oil pipelines is outdated, dangerous thinking that puts public waters and American lives at risk.” says Waterkeeper Alliance General Counsel and Legal Director Daniel E. Estrin. “Trump is padding the bottom line of companies he’s invested in at the expense of the American people.”