Trump Administration Rushes Environmental Review for Alaska Oil Pipeline

The Trump administration is expediting an environmental review of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which would reauthorize the project for another 30 years. The pipeline transports crude oil from Alaska's North Slope to the Valdez Marine Terminal and has been in operation since 1977.

According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the pipeline has moved an average of 463,000 barrels per day last year. Critics argue that expediting the review is an attempt to preclude consideration of economic and ecological concerns about the pipeline.

The BLM is shortening the public comment period for review of the project from 30 to 60 days to just 15 days. This move has been met with criticism, as some say it will limit opportunities for input on the project's potential impacts.