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| Keystone XL pipeline decision postponed by Obama administration | Keystone XL pipeline decision postponed by Obama administration |
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| The Obama administration has — again — postponed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline by giving eight different agencies more time to submit their views on whether the pipeline from Canada’s oil sands to the Texas gulf coast is in the national interest. | The Obama administration has — again — postponed a decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline by giving eight different agencies more time to submit their views on whether the pipeline from Canada’s oil sands to the Texas gulf coast is in the national interest. |
| The 90-day period for interagency comments was supposed to end May 7, but the State Department extended that deadline, citing “uncertainty” created by a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling that could lead to changes in the pipeline route. | The 90-day period for interagency comments was supposed to end May 7, but the State Department extended that deadline, citing “uncertainty” created by a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling that could lead to changes in the pipeline route. |
| The State Department, which must make the final decision on the permit because it crosses an international boundary, said it would use the additional time to consider the “unprecedented number” — 2.5 million — of public comments that were submitted by March 7. | The State Department, which must make the final decision on the permit because it crosses an international boundary, said it would use the additional time to consider the “unprecedented number” — 2.5 million — of public comments that were submitted by March 7. |
| “The agency consultation process is not starting over,” the State Department said in a statement. “The process is ongoing, and the Department and relevant agencies are actively continuing their work in assessing the Permit application.” | “The agency consultation process is not starting over,” the State Department said in a statement. “The process is ongoing, and the Department and relevant agencies are actively continuing their work in assessing the Permit application.” |
| The move drew sharp condemnation from the pipeline’s supporters. | The move drew sharp condemnation from the pipeline’s supporters. |
| “Once again, we’re hearing more delays and more uncertainty over the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), one of 11 Democratic senators who in an open letter last week urged the administration to approve the pipeline. “It’s absolutely ridiculous that this well-over-five-year-long process is continuing for an undetermined amount of time.” | |
| She said, “this most recent delay leaves everyone waiting in limbo — federal agencies, construction and energy workers and companies, state officials and Canada.” | |
| Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, vowed to use her position to get the pipeline approved. In a statement, she called the delay “irresponsible, unnecessary and unacceptable.” | |
| Foes of the pipeline, however, took encouragement from the delay. | Foes of the pipeline, however, took encouragement from the delay. |
| “We believe that the more the facts come to light, whether on disastrous climate impacts or threats to our waters [in Nebraska], it makes us even more confident that President Obama and Secretary of State [John] Kerry will ultimately find that this pipeline is not in America’s interests and must be rejected,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. | “We believe that the more the facts come to light, whether on disastrous climate impacts or threats to our waters [in Nebraska], it makes us even more confident that President Obama and Secretary of State [John] Kerry will ultimately find that this pipeline is not in America’s interests and must be rejected,” said Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president for government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. |