Biden punts on shutting down Dakota Access oil pipeline, angering environmentalists

The Biden administration has decided not to order the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline to shut down while it completes an environmental review, dealing a blow to green groups and Native American tribes who had sought to stop it from operating.

Lawyers representing multiple tribes challenging the Dakota Access pipeline, along with the Justice Department and pipeline operator Energy Transfer, held a status call with U.S. District Judge Brian Boasberg on Friday, in which government lawyers announced that it would not order a shutdown.