Last Friday, the State Department released its final environmental impact statement on the Keystone XL Pipeline Project, prompting Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg and Sen. Max Baucus to release statements encouraging the oil pipeline project to move forward. The State Department will now take public comment on the controversial project, which is opposed by environmentalists, with meetings planned in Texas, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Oklahoma – states through which the pipeline would run – and Washington, D.C.
The pipeline, if approved, will stretch from Alberta to the Gulf Coast.
According to a statement from Rehberg, “the Keystone Pipeline project will create real jobs, help bolster economic growth and provide national energy security.”
“It’s unfortunate this pipeline has been delayed, but I’m glad the federal bureaucracy is finally beginning to move,” Rehberg said. “I’m going to hold their feet to the fire and make sure this deadline is met. It’s time to stop delaying economic recovery.”
Baucus urged Montanans to send their comments to the State Department and said a public meeting is scheduled in Glendive on Sept. 27.
“I’m pleased to see the Keystone project clear this important hurdle because the pipeline will support Montana jobs and help ease our dependence on Middle-East oil,” Baucus said.
Also, Ben Smith at Politico has an interesting blog post in which a pro-Keystone advertisement describes the project’s support of “ethical oil.” You can watch it below.
Meanwhile, as part of widespread protests against the pipeline, Daryl Hannah of “Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman” fame has been arrested in Washington D.C.