News

Yesterday we posted on the risk to all kinds of infrastructure projects in this country if the Obama administration's push to depart from the rule of law and established process in the Dakota Access Pipeline case is allowed to stand. Today a look at other things that are at stake.

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is an 1,172-mile project that would link the energy-rich Bakken and Three Forks shale plays in North Dakota with major refiners in Illinois (also crossing South Dakota and Iowa):

The project has the required legal permits from state and federal agencies and is nearly 60 percent finished. Now various anti-energy groups are trying to halt construction in North Dakota. Key DAPL numbers:

• $3.78 billion Overall project investment, which includes $1.4 billion in North Dakota.
• 8,000-12,000 Jobs supported across the project during construction phase, including 2,000 to 4,000 in North Dakota.
• $156 million Estimated sales and income tax revenues, including $40.5 million in North Dakota.
• $55 million Estimated property taxes to be generated for the involved states, including $13.1 million for North Dakota.
• $189 million Direct payments to landowners for easements.

These are more than dollar amounts and numbers. Each job is the economic lifeline for an individual and/or family, thousands of them. Sales tax revenues reflect economic activity along the construction corridor that benefits local businesses of all kinds. Property taxes typically support schools, hospitals, emergency services and other vital public services and facilities. If you'...