Federal judge cancels permit for Keystone XL Pipeline

Federal judge in Montana orders the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to conduct further review on how the pipeline would impact endangered species. The ruling bans any dredging in waterways that were covered by the permit. Montana Chief District Judge Brian Morris ruled on Wednesday that the construction permit obtained was invalid since the group failed to confirm the environmental impact.

A group of landowners and conservancy groups filed a suit against COE in 2019 stating that oil spills from the pipeline would have a detrimental effect on the surrounding environment. Marcie Keever, legal director for Friends of the Earth, released a statement on Wednesday: 

Keystone XL and other proposed fossil fuel pipelines would devastate frontline communities and wreak havoc on our environment. Today's ruling sends a clear signal nationwide that people and the planet must come before profits for polluting corporations."