Court of appeals issues administrative stay in DAPL ruling

The District Court of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an administrative stay in the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

On July 6, the US District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the line shut and emptied by early August. During the time in which it was shut down and emptied, US District Court Judge James Boasberg ordered an environmental impact study be completed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

In a statement, Senator Kevin Cramer says, “Common sense prevails. The shutdown order was unreasonable and a clear example of judicial overreach. I hope the time will be used to find common ground among litigants.”

Senator John Hoeven also released the following statement: “The Dakota Access Pipeline is important energy infrastructure that has been safely operating for three years. This temporary stay is a good step that recognizes the significant impact that shutting down the pipeline will have on our state’s economy. Next, we hope the Circuit Court will grant a long-term stay and allow the pipeline to continue operating.”

Congressman Kelly Armstrong released a statement calling today's decision a "win for the nation’s national and energy security, and North Dakota’s economy."

"I applaud the court for granting this stay and allowing the pipeline to continue operating safely, as we wait for the appeal," he tells WZFG/KTGO News.

Ron Ness, President of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, says he’s pleased with the decision of the courts.

“This was extremely important that it happened quickly,” Ness tells WZFG/KTGO News. “Because companies were in a panic on what to do with their oil, where they were going to go with their oil and if there was going to be future investment in oil in North Dakota. This is fantastic news, great for the state of North Dakota, great for education and great for everybody.”

North Dakota Public Service Commission Chairman Brian Kroshus says the administrative stay granted by the higher court "was the proper decision."

"It is unreasonable and punitive to force any company that went through the proper regulatory channels to cease operation of a permitted facility, while a disagreement between two federal agencies is decided," Kroshus tells WZFG/KTGO News.

This is a developing news story. Stay tuned to AM1100TheFlag.com and AM1090TheFlag.com for further updates on this developing news story