Senate, Obama should stand strong on Keystone XL

Environment America

Washington, DC- This afternoon, the House of Representatives took yet another vote to force approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, in spite of mounting evidence that the controversial project is not in the national interest. As the United States takes steps toward meaningful action on climate, it is clear that Keystone XL would be a step in the wrong direction, threatening the climate as well as our land and water, while bringing no benefits to the American people.

The bill passed in the House without a large enough majority to override a Presidential veto. Environment America joined a host of environmental and landowner groups to urge President Obama to stand strong in his commitment to allowing the legally required review process to carry on and not to allow the oil industry’s friends in Congress to force approval of this dangerous project.

“In the wake of an historic agreement to cut carbon pollution, our leaders should be moving forward, not backwards on climate,” said Anna Aurilio of Environment America. “Keystone may be game over for the climate, but this vote by the House isn’t. The Senate, the President, and local communities this pipeline will harm can still reject this dirty, dangerous project.”

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