Washington, D.C. – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld issued the following statement on the greenlighting of the Dakota Access Pipeline:

“This disgraceful move by the Trump Administration completely disregards the request of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II and the important commitment from the Obama administration that the Army Corps of Engineers would take a closer look at the environmental impacts of allowing this project to advance. This appalling decision comes on the heels of the administration’s executive orders in its first week on the dirty and dangerous Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and Dakota Access, making clear once again that the president is putting polluting corporations before the rights of communities to breathe clean air, have access to safe drinking water.

No community should have to jeopardize their access to clean water or sacrifice sacred places of cultural and spiritual importance. The League of Conservation Voters continues to stand in solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux. The Trump administration is off to a horrendous start when it comes to the environment and public health. Rest assured, we will be there to fight them at every step of the way.”