Dirty Energy Keystone XL Measure has No Place in Clean Energy Bill

WASHINGTON (September 12, 2013) – During the Senate’s work today on the bipartisan Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill, several senators debated a proposed Senate measure supporting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, which would worsen climate change.

The Natural Resources Defense Council maintains that the Shaheen-Portman bill should be kept free of amendments that would make it impossible for this bipartisan consensus bill to become law.

Anthony Swift, an attorney in NRDC’s International Program, issued this statement:

"A measure supporting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, one of the dirtiest energy projects on the planet, has absolutely no place in an important, bipartisan clean energy bill. Senators should reject this measure.

“The proposed tar sands pipeline would increase carbon pollution and make climate change worse. It would pump the world’s dirtiest oil from Canada through America’s breadbasket for export overseas. The Senate should keep the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill clean.”