U.S. Representative John Shimkus (R-IL) recently criticized President Obama's rejection of a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, citing political rather than practical motivations.
“President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline today is based upon neither the facts nor our national interest," Shimkus said. "It’s nothing but a shameless political move to appease his radical, anti-fossil fuel base. The reality is, as President Obama’s own State Department concluded, construction of Keystone XL would actually cut the carbon emissions he so frequently urges action to reduce, and create thousands of good paying jobs Americans continue to demand."
The president's rejection of a proposal for the project ended seven years of aggressive lobbying from environmentalists and representatives from the energy and construction industry. The 1,170 mile pipeline was expected to carry 800,000 barrels of tar sands oil from Alberta to American refineries and generate 42,000 jobs.
Shimkus said these effects have already been proven by the existing pipeline running through Illinois.
“Here in Illinois, the original Keystone pipeline safely carries crude oil from Alberta to the Wood River Refinery and Patoka tank farm," he said. "This pipeline has supported high paying jobs in our area since 2010, and Keystone XL promised to do the same for thousands more American workers. Because of President Obama’s decision today, those jobs will be created overseas instead.”
President Obama cited a lack of sustainable, long-term impact on energy supply and a weakening of the U.S. ability to lead on climate change as reasons for rejecting the controversial pipeline proposal.
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