Governor Ricketts Crticizes President’s Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline

President Barack Obama on Friday rejected the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, ending the political fight over the Canada-to-Texas project that has gone on for much of his presidency.

Premier Rachel Notley says she isn’t surprised by today’s decision by the White House to veto the Keystone XL pipeline, but is disappointed with the language used to describe Alberta’s oil.

The state Public Utilities Commission’s review of the portion of the pipeline that would run through South Dakota will continue despite the Obama administration’s rejection of TransCanada Corp.’s application to construct the project.

“President Obama just sent a message that Prime Minister Trudeau should heed: you can’t be a climate leader while supporting tar sands pipelines”, said Mike Hudema.

“The Obama admin’s politically motivated rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline is a self-inflicted attack on the USA economy and jobs”, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush said on Twitter.

President Obama’s decision to reject the pipeline is being celebrated by those concerned about climate change like former Vice President Al Gore, but heavily criticized by Republicans like House Speaker Paul Ryan who argues the president made a big mistake.

Murphysboro Republican Mike Bost said he was disappointed Obama shut down a project he said could have generated more than 40,000 jobs. Pipelines are the safest, most environmentally sound way of moving oil and gas.

“The fact of the matter is, is that the US relies on our oil”, said Notley, adding that the USA imports over three million barrels from Canada each day.

As for Obama’s views on Keystone XL, the president didn’t waver in his remarks, “The pipeline would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to our economy”.

He said, “Our national interest will be served only if this project does not significantly exacerbate the problem of carbon pollution”.

The announcement came two days after the State Department had denied Calgary, Alberta-based TransCanada’s request to temporarily suspend its review of the company’s application. The company’s CEO, Russ Girling, says, “Misplaced symbolism was chosen over merit and science”.

“Addressing climate impacts is the new normal for major energy infrastructure projects”, Dyer said.