State Department Releases Environmental Impact Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline

| 3/1/2013

The U.S. State Department released an environmental impact statement on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline today. The State Department says that the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is a "draft technical review of the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Project."

Both of North Dakota`s senators weighed in on the announcement.

"After four and a half years, and a total of four environmental reviews, the Keystone XL pipeline project is perhaps the most thoroughly studied and long-delayed project of its kind in U.S. history. The State Department`s favorable finding of "no significant impacts" on the environment in this, its most recent report, underscores both the good environmental stewardship of the project and the need to begin construction without further delay," Senator John Hoeven said in a statement.

"I am pleased that the State Department has taken the next step towards what should be the eventual approval by the President of the Keystone XL pipeline. The statement released today was the result of what is now one of the most thorough studies of any pipeline project, and the draft SEIS suggests that they have found little reason for further delay of this project. I have supported this project since it was initially proposed because it is good for North Dakota and good for our nation," Senator Heidi Heitkamp said in a statement.

According to the State Department, there will be a 45 day public comment period that will begin when the EPA posts the Draft SEIS on its website.

More information can be found at www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov.

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