NRDC: Cutting Corners to Approve Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline Is Foolhardy

WASHINGTON (March 21, 2012) – Following is a statement by Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, director of the International Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“The nation deserves an energy policy that meets our needs, but not at the expense of our climate, air and water. It is downright foolhardy to cut corners on safety reviews for permitting the southern segment of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline – especially when the industry has a history of oil spills. We already know from experience that tar sands oil is more likely to spill and harder to clean up once it spills. The people of Oklahoma, Texas and the rest of the country deserve better.”