Nebraska Gov. Ricketts Criticizes Keystone XL Decision

Obama said he felt the pipeline’s importance has been exaggerated, that it will not be a silver bullet for the economy as a few believe nor an ecological disaster as expressed by others. This action ended years of debate and marked a big win for environmentalists. “I’d much rather be buying oil from our friends in North Dakota and our friends in Canada than the Iranians, and I think this president and this secretary of state are going to have a lot of explaining to do”.

But since 2008 the United States has experienced a drilling boom boosting oil production 80 percent and contributing to a slump in oil prices from above $100 a barrel to about $44. “For years, it’s been clear the Keystone Pipeline would have jumpstarted the economy, helped lower energy costs for families, and created good paying jobs”.

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, praised the decision, saying the pipeline “would have brought the filthiest oil known to humankind into our country in large amounts”.

The rejection of the pipeline comes three weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

JUDY WOODRUFF: TransCanada quickly condemned the decision, calling it – quote – “misplaced symbolism”.

Congressman Adrian Smith criticized the move as a purely political one that will hurt the middle class.

REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D), Texas: So, you’re talking about jobs, you’re talking about energy independence. The State Department, however, rejected the request.

“I’m disappointed the president is putting a radical environmental agenda over our country’s jobs agenda when we need more jobs and energy integration with our allies”, Boustany says in a prepared statement.

“We have the very best environmental record of the top 10 oil producers in the world and we will not apologize for that”, Jean said.

TransCanada shares fell about 4.6 percent on the Toronto stock exchange on Friday to C$43.15.

“Both should be priorities of any administration, which makes President Obama’s decision to deny this project all the more disappointing”.