Wyoming Senators Upset With Keystone Pipeline Decision

Wyoming Senators Upset With Keystone Pipeline Decision

WASHINGTON D.C. – Wyoming Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo, and John Barrasso, R-Wyo, voiced their displeasure recently in response to President Barack Obama’s announcement the administration would reject the application to build the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Enzi called out the current administration saying it continues to be one of the most anti-energy administrations in recently history.

“This Administration has proven itself time and time again to be the most anti-energy administration in recent memory. This announcement falls right in line with the disastrous policies they have put in place,” Enzi said. “With the rejection of the pipeline the Administration is rejecting the creation of tens of thousands of jobs and proving that keeping energy prices affordable for our nation is not a priority.”

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“Our country is inventive and resourceful. We can both pursue new energy sources while seeking to make traditional energy greener, but actions like this tell me this Administration would rather take the politically easy way out. There are better ways to approach energy policy and I hope more people begin to see this soon.” – Sen. Mike Enzi.

 

In a statement, Barrasso said by making the decision to reject the project, Obama put a small group of well-funded environmental extremists ahead of the interests of American workers.

“Today, President Obama put the interests of a small group of well-funded environmental extremists ahead of the interests of American workers, our economy, and our nation’s energy security. For someone who claims to put science first, the president’s rejection of five favorable environmental reviews for the Keystone XL pipeline is an act of stunning hypocrisy.

“The president’s decision will make it exceedingly more difficult to build infrastructure projects of all kinds in the future. Now, whenever a group of activists decides to oppose another pipeline, road, bridge, rail or port project, they will pull out the Keystone playbook and have confidence that even public officials of the highest rank can be convinced to put politics ahead of facts.”

The Keystone XL Pipeline Project was a proposed 1,179-mile (1,897 km), 36-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline, beginning in Hardisty, Alta., and extending south to Steele City, Neb. Proponents of this project said the pipeline is a critical infrastructure project for the energy security of the United States and for strengthening the American economy.

Those in favor of the project have also said along with transporting crude oil from Canada, the Keystone XL Pipeline would also support the significant growth of crude oil production in the United States from producers in the Bakken region of Montana and North Dakota.

Obama and critics of the project argue America has become a global leader in fighting climate change and supporting the project would undercut that leadership.