Trump gives the go-ahead for a major new Canada-U.S. oil pipeline

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — President Trump issued critical cross-border approval Thursday for a significant new oil transportation infrastructure project designed to transport Canadian crude oil into the United States for processing and export.

The Bridger Pipeline Expansion, featuring a 3-foot diameter, represents a substantial energy infrastructure investment with capacity to transport up to 550,000 barrels (87,400 cubic meters) of oil daily. The proposed route extends from the Canadian-Montana border through eastern Montana and Wyoming, where it will connect to existing pipeline networks.

While receiving presidential approval for cross-border operations, the project remains subject to additional state and federal environmental review processes before construction can commence. Company representatives anticipate breaking ground in 2027, pending regulatory clearance.

The 650-mile pipeline system would transport approximately two-thirds the volume of the previously proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which President Biden terminated in 2021 citing climate change concerns on his first day in office.

"Slightly different from the last administration. They wouldn't sign a pipeline deal. And we have pipelines going up," Trump commented following the signing of the Bridger Pipeline Expansion cross-border authorization.

The Keystone XL project, which Trump initially approved in 2020, faced opposition from Native American tribal communities concerned about potential environmental impacts and climate advocacy groups focused on reducing fossil fuel infrastructure. The project's cancellation disappointed Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after Alberta invested over $1 billion in development costs.

Distinguishing itself from its predecessor, the Bridger Pipeline Expansion—sometimes referred to as "Keystone Light"—avoids crossing Native American reservation lands. According to Bridger Pipeline LLC, more than 70% of construction will occur within established pipeline corridors, with 80% situated on private property.

Bridger Pipeline, headquartered in Casper, Wyoming, currently operates over 3,700 miles (5,950 kilometers) of oil gathering and transmission infrastructure across the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana, as well as Wyoming's Powder River Basin.

As a subsidiary of True Companies, Bridger Pipeline could potentially avoid future administrative reversals by completing construction during Trump's current term. The company projects construction beginning in fall 2027, with completion targeted for late 2028 or early 2029. Trump's current term concludes January 20, 2029.

True Company subsidiaries have documented involvement in several significant pipeline incidents, including a 2015 spill releasing over 50,000 gallons (240,000 liters) of crude oil into the Yellowstone River, contaminating a Montana municipality's water supply. Additional incidents include a 45,000-gallon diesel spill in Wyoming in 2022 and a 2016 North Dakota incident releasing more than 600,000 gallons (2.7 million liters) of crude oil, contaminating the Little Missouri River and tributary waterways.

True subsidiaries agreed to a $12.5 million civil penalty settlement with federal authorities regarding the North Dakota and Montana spills.

Company spokesperson Bill Salvin emphasized enhanced safety protocols, including development of an AI-driven leak detection system for rapid incident response. The project design incorporates deep boring technology, placing pipeline infrastructure 30 to 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) beneath major waterways including the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers to minimize accident risk. This contrasts with the 2015 incident involving shallow riverbed construction.

"We designed the pipeline with integrity and safety in mind. We have emergency response plans should something happen where oil happens to get out of the line, which is fairly rare," Salvin stated.

Environmental organizations opposing the project include the Montana Environmental Information Center and WildEarth Guardians, citing inherent infrastructure risks.

"The biggest concern we see right now is the concern inherent in all pipeline projects which is the risk of spills," said attorney Jenny Harbine with environmental law firm Earthjustice. "Pipelines rupture and leak. It's just a fact of pipelines."