Green Light for Bakken Pipeline's New Cross-Border Facilities in North Dakota
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Presidential Document
Summary
Bakken Pipeline Company LP just got the green light to build, connect, and run new pipeline facilities right at the U.S.-Canada border in Burke County, North Dakota. This means smoother energy flow between the two countries, with operations starting soon and no surprise costs for taxpayers. It’s a big win for energy companies and local workers ready to get things moving!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Permit to Build and Operate Border Pipeline
On April 15, 2026, the President granted Bakken Pipeline Company LP permission to construct, connect, operate, and maintain Border facilities consisting of a 24-inch diameter pipeline from the U.S.-Canada international border near Portal, North Dakota to the first mainline shut-off valve or pumping station in the United States located less than 1 mile from the border. The permit references the company's January 16, 2026 application for a new permit.
Permittee Bears Cleanup and Removal Costs
The permit requires the permittee to acquire rights-of-way and to hold harmless and indemnify the United States from any claimed or adjudged liability arising from construction, operation, or maintenance of the Border facilities, including environmental contamination; upon termination, revocation, or surrender the permittee must remove the Border facilities at its own expense.
Taxpayer Financial Exposure Limited
The permit requires the permittee to indemnify and hold harmless the United States for liabilities arising from the Border facilities, including environmental contamination, and to remove the facilities at its own expense upon termination; this protects taxpayers from bearing those costs.
Safety Oversight and Agency Inspections Required
The Border facilities and their construction, connection, operation, and maintenance are subject to inspection by appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and to all applicable laws and regulations, including pipeline safety laws administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
Government May Seize Facilities for National Security
The permit authorizes the President to enter, take possession of, and retain control of Border facilities for national security reasons, with prior notice to the permittee; the United States will pay just and fair compensation and bear restoration costs as specified.
Natural Gas Transport Excluded
The permit authorizes transport of crude oil and petroleum products of every description but explicitly excludes natural gas that is subject to section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717b).
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