Dakota Access Pipeline

The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is a 1,172-mile oil pipeline that transports crude oil from the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota to Illinois. The project has faced significant opposition, particularly from Indigenous groups and environmental activists who argue that it threatens water supplies and sacred lands. Controversies arose over its route, which runs near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Protests gained national attention, highlighting issues of Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and energy transport. Supporters claim it boosts the economy and enhances energy independence. The pipeline became a focal point for broader discussions about fossil fuels and climate change.