Pipeline executive likens demonstrators to terrorists
WASHINGTON — A top executive at the company building the Dakota Access pipeline on Wednesday compared pipeline opponents to terrorists.
Joey Mahmoud, executive vice president of Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, said protesters have “assaulted numerous pipeline personnel,” destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of construction equipment and even fired a pistol at law enforcement during months of demonstrations against the 1,200mile pipeline, which will carry North Dakota oil to an Illinois terminal.
Mahmoud said in written testimony to Congress that the protest movement “induced individuals to break into and shut down pump stations on four operational pipelines. Had these actions been undertaken by foreign nationals, they could only be described as acts of terrorism.”
Mahmoud omitted the comment about terrorism as he read his testimony aloud to a House energy subcommittee on Wednesday.
The comment was included in written remarks submitted to the panel.
The chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux, one of two tribes suing to stop the project, called Mahmoud’s comments unfair.
“The majority of them are there in prayer,” Chairman Harold Frazier said of pipeline opponents. “From what I’ve seen (law enforcement officers) are the terrorists.”
Law enforcement has used tactics such as rubber bullets, tear gas and water sprays against protesters during clashes in southern North Dakota near the pipeline route, Frazier said, adding that he personally has been hit by rubber bullets and tear gas.
Mahmoud, the pipeline executive, also blasted the Obama administration, which twice delayed the project last year.