The acting secretary of the Army has ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to allow construction of the Dakota Access pipeline under a Missouri River reservoir, a North Dakota senator said, the latest twist in the months-long legal battle over the $3.8 billion project.

Sen. John Hoeven announced on Jan. 31 that Robert Speer directed the Army Corps of Engineers to “proceed” with an easement necessary to complete the pipeline. Hoeven said he also discussed Speer’s order with Vice President Mike Pence, just a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order signaling his support for the project.

Hoeven spokesman Don Canton said Speer’s move means the easement “isn’t quite issued yet, but they plan to approve it” within days.

More details here.

Source: CNN.com