Statement: GAIN Applauds Keystone XL Decision

The Nebraska Public Service Commission approved the route of TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline this morning, allowing construction to begin on the project that will carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil per day from southern Canada through Nebraska. The GAIN Coalition issued the following statement in response, which can be attributed to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the coalition.  Earlier this morning, my column on the Keystone XL leak and the importance of pipelines in the U.S. ran in The Hill.

“The GAIN Coalition applauds today’s decision by the Nebraska Public Service Commission.  This is an important step for the Keystone XL pipeline that will allow the company to move forward in its process.  All over North America, fossil fuel opponents are attacking interstate pipeline activities in a narrow-minded effort to end the development of regional energy resources, in effect killing the heart by cutting the veins.  Reality is, of course, that the U.S. economy needs more than 800 million gallons of petroleum and petroleum products every day to power our vehicles, heat our homes, and serve as the feedstock for our farming and manufacturing sectors.  And while barge, rail, and truck all have an important role in delivering energy; pipelines are the safest, most environmentally sensitive, and most cost effective way to transport energy products like crude oil, gasoline, and natural gas.  If constructed, the Keystone XL pipeline will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska, and when completed will generate additional tax revenue in those states to support emergency services, schools, and infrastructure development.”

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