A new pipeline project, dubbed "Keystone 2.0," aims to transport tar sands oil from Canada to Oklahoma, drawing opposition from Indigenous groups and environmental organizations.
Key facts
- •The pipeline could transport up to 1.13 million barrels of oil daily.
- •The project is divided into three phases involving Bridger Pipeline and South Bow.
- •Proposed routes cross lands protected by the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
- •The Trump administration issued a cross-border permit in April without an environmental analysis.
- •Bridger Pipeline is a subsidiary of True Companies, which has a history of significant spills.
A proposed pipeline project, segmented into three phases by Bridger Pipeline and South Bow, aims to transport tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to Cushing, Oklahoma. The project, which could move up to 1.13 million barrels of oil per day, has drawn criticism from Indigenous and conservation groups over potential environmental risks and impacts on treaty-protected lands. The Trump administration issued a cross-border permit for the project in April without conducting an environmental analysis or consulting with impacted Tribes.
By the numbers
Project Scope and Ownership
The pipeline is divided into three segments: the Prairie Connector from Alberta to the Montana border, the Bridger Expansion through eastern Montana to Guernsey, Wyoming, and a third leg extending to refineries in Cushing, Oklahoma. Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of True Companies, is leading the project alongside South Bow, a company spun off from TC Energy in 2024. While initially undisclosed, Bridger confirmed the pipeline is designed to transport tar sands oil.
Indigenous and Environmental Concerns
Critics argue the pipeline threatens unceded hunting territories guaranteed to several Tribal Nations under the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, including the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho. The proposed route crosses numerous rivers, including the Yellowstone and Missouri, raising concerns about potential oil spills. Bridger’s parent company, True Companies, has a history of significant spills, including a 50,000-gallon incident in 2015 and a 45,000-gallon spill in 2022.
Regulatory and Legal Challenges
Indigenous, conservation, and community groups are preparing for potential litigation, citing concerns over a lack of public engagement and environmental oversight. Reports indicate the Montana Department of Environmental Quality may have granted an undisclosed waiver to the project, allowing the company to omit required information from its application. Opponents are calling for increased transparency and meaningful consultation as the project moves through the permitting process.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.
