#Throwback: President Trump Brings Pipelines Back Into Conversation

Talk about hitting the ground running. President Donald Trump signed executive orders to allow construction of the highly controversial, highly protested Dakota Access and Keystone XL oil pipelines. The former Obama administration had blocked both pipeline projects, not only because of the massive protests and concerns raised for the local Sioux Native American communities, but because of environmental concerns. However, Trump has questioned the science behind that rationale, as well as the science of climate change more broadly, and believes this measure will create more jobs. “A lot of jobs, 28,000 jobs. Great construction jobs,” he told the press. 

Many are questioning President Trump’s impartiality with the Dakota Access Pipeline because he owned stock in the project. However, Trump’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks told reporters in December 2016 that he had sold all of his shares. There are other conflicts of interest surrounding Texas Governor Rick Perry, Trump’s pick for Energy Secretary, who happens to be a paid board member of Energy Transfer Partners.