WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump holds stock in the company building the disputed Dakota Access oil pipeline. And that’s raising concerns by pipeline opponents that Trump’s investments could affect any decision he makes on the $3.8 billion project as president.
Trump’s 2016 federal disclosure forms show he owned $15,000 to $50,000 in stock in Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners. That’s down from between $500,000 and $1 million a year earlier.
The Obama administration says it wants more study and tribal input before deciding whether to allow the partially built pipeline to cross under a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota.
The delay raises the likelihood that a final decision will be made by Trump, a pipeline supporter who has vowed to “unleash” unfettered production of gas and oil. Trump takes office in January.