The controversial Keystone XL pipeline has hit yet another major legal roadblock. US district judge Brian Morris just overturned President Trump’s approval for the tar sands pipeline, finding the administration in breach of key environmental laws.
The ruling, in a suit filed by a coalition of Indigenous and environmental groups including the Indigenous Environment Network and the Sierra Club, blocks Canadian pipeline giant TransCanada from starting project construction and requires the State Department to substantially revise its environmental assessment of the project.JPMorgan Chase is leading a consortium of banks which are currently deciding whether to renew $1.5 billion in credits for TransCanada on December 14.
Patrick McCully, Climate and Energy Program Director at Rainforest Action Network said:
“With the recent report from the UN’s climate scientists showing the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels, its time for JPMorgan Chase to stop its irresponsible bankrolling of this climate disaster, respect Native American rights, and on December 14 reject TransCanada’s credit application. Transcanada and Trump keep pushing this dirty project, but Native American tribes, landowners and environmentalists are going to keep pushing back, and holding banks responsible for financing the pipeline.”