The Department of Defense has release a letter saying that it has no objection to construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. The letter, which was addressed to the Department of State, was in response to the State Department’s request to weigh in on the proposed project. Other agencies asked to provide comments were the Department of Interior, Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).
The Secretary of State asked for comments on whether the proposed pipeline “serves the national interest which involves consideration of many factors including: energy security; environmental, cultural, and economic impacts; foreign policy; and compliance with relevant federal regulations and issues.”
Deadline for responses from the agencies was Monday, February 9, 2015. On February 5, 2015, Speaker John Boehner demanded that the State Department release the comments submitted by the agencies to Congress.
The EPA voiced its opposition to construction of the pipeline because of potential environmental impacts and the potential for the pipeline to increase greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA’s letter was sent by Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator of the EPA, and is posted on the agency’s website.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services issued a biological opinion in May 2013, stating that the project was not likely to affect a number of endangered species in the pipeline area.
For more information, contact Toni Ellington at (504) 599-8500.
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