From the Havre Daily News: Montana officials are condemning a new delay in the decision whether to approve construction of an oil pipeline from Canada.
The U.S. State Department said Friday it is giving federal agencies more time to review the Keystone XL pipeline.
Part of the pipeline would run through Montana, and reaction was swift from Democrats and Republicans.
Democratic U.S. Sen John Walsh called on President Barack Obama to show leadership and end the uncertainty by making a decision.
Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Daines, who is Walsh's likely opponent in November's Senate election, accused the Obama administration of basing its decision on politics.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock says the pipeline has been pending for five years and that Montana's economy would grind to a halt if he made decisions that way. http://www.havredailynews.com/story/2014/04/18/breaking-news/federal-state-leaders-condemn-keystone-delay/300609.html
And from Fox News:
The Obama administration once again has punted on a final decision for the Keystone XL pipeline, announcing ahead of the holiday weekend it is extending a key review period indefinitely -- a move that could push off a determination until after the midterm elections.
Republicans, as well as red-state Democrats who want the proposed Canada-to-Texas pipeline approved, slammed the administration for the delay. Democrats even threatened to find ways to go around the president to get the project approved.
"It's absolutely ridiculous that this well over five year long process is continuing for an undetermined amount of time," Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., said in a statement.
Republican Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry called the decision "shameful," noting that another spring construction season will come and go without the project.
The administration had been in the middle of a 90-day review period for federal agencies assessing an environmental study from the State Department.
But the State Department said Friday it is giving agencies "additional time" to weigh in, in part because of ongoing litigation before the Nebraska Supreme Court which could affect the pipeline's route. If the route changes, officials made clear the State Department reserves the right to conduct another environmental impact study to include more public comments, which could delay the process more. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/18/obama-administration-extends-review-period-for-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline/
Democrats trying to stay alive before November elections.
No comments:
Post a Comment