THIS IS A BIGGIE IN THE NOVEMBER CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS….AND A HOT BUTTON ISSUE AMONG INCUMBENTS AND CHALLENGERS IN ALMOST EVERY STATE….AND THE DEMS ARE GETTING FRIED ON IT BECAUSE ONLY ABOUT 20 VOTED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PIPELINE WITHOUT LIMITING AMENDMENTS….RSK
In a transparent political sop aimed at radical environmentalists and their big-buck donors, the Obama administration announced it is indefinitely extending the review period for the Keystone XL pipeline. The delay, announced in a Good Friday news dump, will likely push the final decision on the project past the November mid-term elections.
Republicans, red-state Democrats and a top labor union official hammered the move.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, characterized the delay as “nothing short of a stunning act of political cowardice.” Rep. Lee Terry (R-NB) contended it was “shameful,” further explaining that another spring construction season will be lost as result. They were joined by Democrats such as Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AK), who contended “there’s no excuse for another delay,” and Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) who was “frankly appalled at the continued foot-dragging by this administration on the Keystone project.”
Terry O’Sullivan, general president of the Laborers International Union of America (LIUNA) was equally appalled, calling the decision “politics at its worst,” further noting that it represents “another low blow to the working men and women of our country for whom the Keystone XL Pipeline is a lifeline to good jobs and energy security.”
The Obama administration was in the midst of a 90-day review period, during which federal agencies were examining an environmental study provided by the State Department when the delay was announced. That would be the latest study. The State Department has been studying the potential impact of the pipeline for the last six years.