U.S. Supreme Court rejects Dakota Access Pipeline appeal

(Bismarck, ND) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is rejecting an appeal from the company that operates the Dakota Access Pipeline.  

The court announced the decision to not hear the case Tuesday, leaving the future of the pipeline in question. Opponents of the pipeline first began protests in Morton County five years ago, saying the pipeline needed to be shut down or rerouted away from the Standing Rock Reservation.

The pipeline is still facing environmental review, but officials in the oil industry say it's unlikely that the pipeline's operations will be affected by the court's denial.