BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A judge has scheduled a hearing on a request by the developer of the Dakota Access pipeline to block the Army Corps of Engineers from launching a full environmental study of a disputed crossing in North Dakota.
Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners asked U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to stop the Corps from publishing a notice in the Federal Register announcing the study. Boasberg set a hearing on the matter Wednesday.
ETP wants any further study put on hold until Boasberg rules on whether ETP already has the necessary permission to lay pipe under Lake Oahe, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe's water source.
The Corps disputes permission has been granted, and says study is needed on alternate routes. ETP says the $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline is safe.