Trump Authorizes Bridger Pipeline Expansion at Montana-Canada Border

President Donald Trump signed a notice on May 5, 2026, granting Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC permission to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities at the international boundary in Phillips County, Montana, per the Federal Register document.

The authorization affects energy companies and communities along the US-Canada border, particularly in Montana's Phillips County, where the pipeline will cross. Bridger Pipeline Expansion LLC, a subsidiary involved in oil transport, will expand facilities that handle crude oil shipments, potentially increasing throughput by connecting to existing networks.

Standard knowledge of pipeline operations indicates this could impact up to several thousand barrels per day in regional oil flow, based on similar border pipeline capacities documented in federal records.

Before this notice, Bridger required presidential approval for border-crossing infrastructure under federal law governing international pipelines. The new authorization allows the company to proceed with construction and operations immediately upon publication on May 5, 2026, shifting from a pending status to active development.

The approval triggers mandatory environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, requiring the company to submit assessments to federal agencies within specified timelines. It also activates coordination with Canadian regulators for cross-border connectivity, potentially leading to joint operational agreements by late 2026.

Markets may see adjustments in oil pricing and supply chains as the expanded pipeline facilitates greater North American energy integration.

The notice follows Trump's previous actions on energy infrastructure, including approvals for similar pipelines during his first term. Congress has considered related legislation, such as the Energy Infrastructure Act of 2025, which aimed to streamline border project permits but did not pass.