Illinois Regulators Approve Expansion of Dakota Access Pipeline

The Illinois Commerce Commission on Thursday approved a proposed expansion of the Dakota Access Pipeline that pushes its capacity past 1 million barrels per day, rejecting environmental groups’ objections that the expansion doesn’t materially benefit the public.

The unanimous decision in favor of Dakota Access LLC and Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company LLC reversed a successful appeal of a 2020 commission decision by pipeline opponents, whose concerns include worry about a pipeline spill contaminating water supplies.

The appellate decision remanded the case back to the commission for a new decision and charged commissioners with answering two questions: whether pipeline owners ...