Hoeven Statement on Release of the State Department's Final Environmental Review for the Keystone XL Pipeline Project

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. State Department’s fifth and final Keystone XL environmental impact statement (EIS).

“The U.S. State Department’s final EIS released today is a step forward in that it poses no reason for President Obama to deny approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project. Although not explicit, this finding is consistent with four previous findings that affirm the need to begin construction without delay.

“On the other hand, the report is vague and provides no timeline for a final decision, giving the president broad room to postpone a decision further. That would be consistent with his tactic over the past five years of trying to defeat the project through bureaucratic delay and deferral.

“At this point, we need to keep the pressure on the administration, both legislatively and in the court of public opinion. A recent Harris Interactive poll found that a large majority of Americans support not only the Keystone XL project but also expanding the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure with new pipelines and other facilities. The question now is will President Obama heed the will of the American people and move the project forward, or will he continue to delay."

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