Regulators Launch Public Consultation for Major Oil Pipeline Across Montana and Wyoming
State and federal authorities have initiated a public comment period for the proposed Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a significant infrastructure project designed to transport Canadian crude oil from the border in Phillips County, Montana, to a terminal near Guernsey, Wyoming. This move marks a critical step in the regulatory process, allowing communities and stakeholders to voice their opinions on the environmental and social impacts of the development.
Project Details and Scope
The Bridger Pipeline Expansion involves constructing a massive 36-inch-diameter pipeline spanning 647 miles, with the capacity to move approximately 550,000 barrels of crude oil daily. The proposed route includes about 210 miles across Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen, and Platte counties in eastern Wyoming. Developed by Bridger Pipeline Expansion, a subsidiary of Casper-based Bridger Pipeline LLC, the project leverages existing infrastructure owned by the company, including the Belle Fourche and Butte pipelines that connect oilfields in North Dakota, Montana, and eastern Wyoming to the Guernsey storage hub.
According to project descriptions, about half of the route in Montana runs parallel to existing pipelines, with a similar proportion in Wyoming following established corridors. The developer owns much of this infrastructure, with the project paralleling Bridger-owned lines for roughly 138 miles in Montana and 100 miles in Wyoming. Additionally, the route encompasses about 6 miles of BLM-managed lands in northeast Wyoming and approximately 5 miles of Thunder Basin National Grassland, managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Regulatory Framework and Public Involvement
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serves as the lead federal regulatory authority, tasked with reviewing potential impacts to ensure environmental, cultural, and community considerations are thoroughly evaluated. In Montana, the company has applied for a "certificate of compliance" under the state's Major Facility Siting Act, triggering a parallel environmental review under Montana's Environmental Policy Act. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality will participate as an agency in the BLM's review process.
A 30-day public scoping and comment period has begun this week, enabling federal and Montana officials to identify potential impacts and alternatives. The agencies plan to co-host one virtual and three in-person public meetings, with dates to be announced later. This engagement aims to gather input from residents, environmental groups, and other stakeholders concerned about the project's implications.
Historical Context and Safety Concerns
The Bridger Pipeline Expansion has drawn comparisons to the Keystone XL project, abandoned in 2021 after President Joe Biden revoked a Trump-era permit on his first day in office, citing climate change concerns. Some locals in eastern Wyoming refer to the Bridger project as "Keystone Light," a nod to its role in filling the industry gap left by Keystone XL, though it is smaller in scale, designed for 550,000 barrels per day compared to Keystone XL's 830,000.
Safety and environmental issues are paramount, given the track record of Bridger Pipeline's parent company, True Cos., which has experienced significant spills, including a 45,000-gallon diesel spill in eastern Wyoming in 2022 and a more than 50,000-gallon Bakken crude spill into the Yellowstone River in Montana in 2015. In 2023, Bridger Pipeline and its subsidiary Belle Fourche Pipeline Company paid $12.5 million to resolve penalties related to spills and alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and federal pipeline safety laws.
Jill Morrison, a board member of the Powder River Basin Resource Council, expressed concerns about the company's history and regulatory oversight, questioning whether improvements will be made to prevent future incidents. In response, Bridger Pipeline has launched FlowState, an artificial leak detection company that monitors its systems, funded in part by a $2 million state grant in 2024. Company spokesman Bill Salvin emphasized that while past leaks are unfortunate, the focus is on rapid response and learning from incidents to enhance safety.
Future Timeline and Economic Impact
Construction of the Bridger Pipeline Expansion could commence by July 2027, employing about 400 workers across four development stages, according to BLM planning documents. The project requires a presidential permit for the international border crossing, similar to Keystone XL, adding another layer of federal scrutiny. As the public comment period unfolds, regulators will weigh economic benefits against environmental risks, shaping the future of oil transport in the region.
