Presidential Permit: Authorizing Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC to Construct, Connect, Operate, and Maintain Pipeline Facilities at the International Boundary at Phillips County, Montana, Between the United States and Canada
In Simple Terms
This action lets Bridger Pipeline Expansion build and run a pipeline link at the Montana-Canada border to move oil and fuel between the two countries. The company still must follow all laws, get other needed permits, and allow government checks.
Summary
President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit allowing Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC to construct, connect, operate, and maintain a cross-border pipeline facility in Phillips County, Montana, at the U.S.-Canada boundary. The permit covers a 36-inch pipeline segment used to transport crude oil and a wide range of petroleum products between the two countries, while making clear that the project still must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and permits. It also sets conditions for federal inspection and oversight, requires the company to report ownership changes and maintain the facilities safely, and makes the company responsible for cleanup, liabilities, and removal of the border facilities if the permit ends. The action was issued to formally authorize this specific international border pipeline connection under presidential authority.
Official Record
Awaiting Federal RegisterPending Federal Register publication
Analysis & Impact
💡 How This May Affect You
- Working families may see temporary local jobs; fuel transport changes could modestly affect prices and spill risks.
- Small businesses near the project may gain construction demand; others could face disruption, compliance, or environmental concerns.
- Students and recent graduates may find some skilled trades jobs, but few broad education or long-term career effects.
- Retirees and seniors could see indirect fuel cost changes, while local safety and environmental monitoring remain important.
- Rural Montana may see the biggest direct effects; urban and suburban areas mainly feel indirect fuel supply impacts.
🏢 Key Stakeholders
- Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC benefits most, gaining authority for cross-border crude transport.
- Montana landowners, tribes, and nearby communities face spill, land-use, and safety concerns.
- Oil producers, refiners, and pipeline operators gain export capacity and logistics flexibility.
- PHMSA, federal border authorities, and Montana regulators oversee safety, permits, inspections.
- Environmental organizations and landowner-rights advocates likely oppose risks from expanded pipeline infrastructure.
📈 What to Expect
- Federal and state permit applications, inspections, and right-of-way approvals likely accelerate.
- Early construction mobilization begins near Phillips County, pending local and federal compliance.
- Cross-border crude capacity modestly increases if downstream connections and approvals proceed smoothly.
- Montana border corridor sees sustained pipeline operations, monitoring, and periodic safety inspections.
- Legal, environmental, or market shifts could delay expansion benefits or reduce utilization.
📚 Historical Context
- Follows longstanding cross-border pipeline permitting used by Bush, Obama, and Trump before 2019.
- Builds on Trump’s 2019 permit order replacing State Department review with direct presidential issuance.
- Contrasts with Obama’s 2015 Keystone XL denial and Biden’s 2021 revocation of Keystone permit.
- Historically notable: routine border permit for petroleum products, unlike Keystone’s nationally polarizing symbolism.
- Continues executive-control tradition over border infrastructure, rooted in decades of foreign-affairs and permit practice.
News Coverage
Trump gives the go-ahead for a major new Canada-U.S. oil pipeline - NPR
Trump gives the go-ahead for a major new Canada-U.S. oil pipeline NPR
South Bow plan to revive parts of Keystone XL needs Trump approval, US oil pipeline links - Reuters
South Bow plan to revive parts of Keystone XL needs Trump approval, US oil pipeline links Reuters
Nebraska to become battleground over fate of Keystone XL pipeline project | US news - The Guardian
Nebraska to become battleground over fate of Keystone XL pipeline project | US news The Guardian
Trump's Keystone XL pipeline plan faces legal challenge - BBC
Trump's Keystone XL pipeline plan faces legal challenge BBC
Related Actions
Apr 03, 2026
Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown
Mar 27, 2026
Paying Our Great Transportation Security Administration Officers and Employees
Mar 11, 2026