Trump Approves Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a Major Cross-Border Oil Project
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President Trump granted approval for the Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a 650-mile project that could carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil daily from Canada through Montana and Wyoming. The company plans to start construction in 2027, aiming to finish by early 2029. The project faces opposition from environmental groups but avoids crossing Native American reservations.
Facts First
- President Trump approved the Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a 650-mile pipeline from Canada through Montana and Wyoming.
- The pipeline could carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil per day, about two-thirds the volume of the canceled Keystone XL project.
- The project will not cross any Native American reservations and over 80% of it will be on private land.
- Bridger Pipeline LLC plans to start construction in fall 2027, aiming for completion by late 2028 or early 2029.
- The parent company's subsidiaries have been responsible for major spills, including into the Yellowstone River in 2015.
What Happened
President Trump granted cross-border approval for the Bridger Pipeline Expansion on Thursday. The 650-mile, 3-foot-wide pipeline would carry up to 550,000 barrels of oil per day from the Canadian border with Montana through eastern Montana and Wyoming to link with another pipeline. Bridger Pipeline LLC stated that more than 70% of the project would be built within existing pipeline corridors and 80% would be on private land. The pipeline will not cross any Native American reservations.
Why this Matters to You
This approval could lead to a significant increase in oil transport capacity across the region, which may affect local energy markets and infrastructure development. The project's parent company, True Companies, has subsidiaries with a history of major spills, including one in 2015 that fouled a Montana city's drinking water supply. However, the company states it has developed an AI-driven leak detection system and plans to bore 30 to 40 feet beneath major rivers like the Yellowstone and Missouri to reduce accident chances. Environmental groups are opposed to the project, which may lead to continued public debate and legal challenges.
What's Next
Bridger spokesperson Bill Salvin stated the company hopes to start construction in the fall of 2027 and finish by late 2028 or early 2029. President Trump's term ends on January 20, 2029, which means the project's timeline could be affected by any changes in federal policy after that date. The company's plan to use deeper river crossings and new monitoring technology may be scrutinized as part of ongoing regulatory and environmental review processes.