Trump Executive Orders Expedite Energy and Infrastructure Projects

Washington, DC (February 6, 2017) — President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders and presidential memoranda aimed at expediting priority energy and infrastructure projects, among them construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and the remaining portions of the Dakota Access Pipeline, both of which were rejected by the Obama administration. Trump said the actions were in keeping with his campaign promise to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline projects that will create jobs and increase national security.

Keystone XL is an 1179-mile crude oil pipeline to connect production in Alberta, Canada to U.S. refineries. The 36-in.-dia. line extends from Hardisty, Alta. south to Steele City, Neb. where it is to join existing pipeline infrastructure connected to the Gulf Coast. “Construction and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline, as well as oil production and refining activities related to it, would create tens of thousands of jobs for American workers, enhance our nation’s energy security, support affordable and reliable energy for American families, and generate significant state and local tax revenues that can be invested in schools, hospitals, and infrastructure,” the new administration said.

Trump also directed relevant federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to expedite reviews and approvals of remaining segments of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.8-billion, 1172-mile line designed to carry about 500,000 bbld of crude oil from the Bakken and Three Forks production areas in North Dakota to Patoka, Ill. Dakota Access is more than 90% complete across its entire route, with only a limited stretch yet to be constructed.

Another presidential memorandum targeted reducing regulatory burdens for manufacturing. The secretary of Commerce will conduct outreach to stakeholders and solicit comments from the public regarding federal actions to streamline permitting that affects manufacturers. The Commerce secretary will submit a report to the President identifying recommendations, including priority actions and deadlines.

Another executive order established a framework for expediting environmental reviews for infrastructure projects. “Delays and other inefficiencies in the environ- mental review and permitting process are severely impeding critically important projects to rebuild and modernize our nation’s infrastructure, such as highways, bridges, tunnels, the electrical grid, ports, water systems, airports, railways, and pipelines,” the administration asserted.

(SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, Subscribe at http://bit.ly/2jVpaTu)