What Happened
The Bridger pipeline expansion project, which aims to build a 650-mile pipeline crossing Montana and Wyoming, has just hit a significant roadblock. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has withdrawn an exemption it had previously granted to the project, allowing the company to omit certain financial and environmental data from its state permit application.
The $2 billion project is one of three proposed pipeline legs to connect Alberta, Canada's oil sands to the Cushing, Oklahoma trade hub. The company behind the project, Bridger Pipeline Expansion, LLC, a subsidiary of True Companies, based in Wyoming, expects to start construction in July 2027, pending state and federal approval.
Why It Matters
The Bridger pipeline expansion project has significant implications for the environment and local community. The proposed pipeline will cross water 150 times, increasing the risk of leaks and damage to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the project is expected to transport around 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which could contribute to climate change.
The DEQ's withdrawal of the exemption is an important step in ensuring the project is rigorously and transparently evaluated. The company will now be required to provide the necessary information for the DEQ to assess the project's potential impacts.
The Mechanism/Science Behind It
The Bridger pipeline expansion project involves constructing a large-scale pipeline that will cross sensitive territories and fragile ecosystems. The science behind the project involves assessing the potential impacts of the pipeline on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as analyzing the risks of leaks and accidents.
Montana law, known as the Major Facilities Siting Act, requires large-scale projects to be rigorously and transparently evaluated. The law allows companies to omit irrelevant information from the evaluation process, but the DEQ is now requiring Bridger Pipeline Expansion to provide the necessary information for the project to be adequately assessed.
Bigger Picture
The Bridger pipeline expansion project is just one of many energy infrastructure projects being proposed in the United States. The oil and gas industry is facing increasing regulatory and public opinion challenges as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability grow.
The Bridger pipeline expansion project is similar to the Keystone XL pipeline project, which was canceled by President Joe Biden in 2021. However, opponents of the project argue that the Bridger pipeline is even more dangerous, as it will cross water 150 times and transport a larger volume of crude oil.
What Happens Next
Now that the DEQ has withdrawn the exemption, Bridger Pipeline Expansion will be required to provide the necessary information for the project to be adequately assessed. The DEQ will then evaluate the information and decide whether the project can proceed.
Opponents of the project remain vigilant and continue to pressure authorities to rigorously and transparently evaluate the project. The battle over the Bridger pipeline is just one example of the broader struggle for environmental sustainability and climate justice in the United States.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published by Grist with the title "In Montana, a controversial $2B pipeline hits a speed bump" on August 7, 2026.