WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement today after President Obama rejected the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline:    

“Today’s announcement unfortunately comes as no surprise. The Obama Administration bowed to the pressure of far-left environmentalists and rejected the Keystone Pipeline on purely political grounds. 

When you look at the science, transporting this reliable source of energy by a safe, modern pipline is the safest way to move it. Study after study has concluded there would be no significant environmental impact along the proposed route.  

The Keystone Pipeline is the type of commonsense, job creating infrastructure project that America needs. It would create well-paying jobs for skilled laborers, at no expense to the taxpayers, and in fact had already created hundreds of jobs in Arkansas, all the while helping get oil on the market from one of our closest allies. 

With this announcement, President Obama has put the priorities of activists over those of the people of Arkansas. This announcement, along with the President’s proposed carbon plan, are evidence that his energy and economic policies are out of touch with the needs of Arkansans.” 

Background: Boozman is a strong supporter of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Boozman repeatedly urged the administration to stop delaying the permit for construction of the pipeline.  

In January, he cosponsored legislation that passed the Senate by a strong 62-36 bipartisan vote, and he delivered a floor speech urging its approval. The President vetoed that bill and the Senate’s override attempt failed by a vote of 62-37.  

The Obama Administration has conducted five environmental reviews of the Keystone XL Pipeline, over more than a six-year period. Each review has determined that the pipeline project would have no significant environmental impact. In fact, the latest review shows that transportation of oil through this modern pipeline will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 28 to 42 percent, when compared with alternative transportation options. This review also found that development of these oil resources will continue whether the oil is shipped to the United States or to our overseas competitors. 

This proposed 1,700 mile pipeline would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf Coast. Tapping into these oil sands will offer us a reliable source of energy from our strongest ally and trading partner and according to the Department of Energy will provide enough oil to, for example, offset imports from Venezuela.