President Retains Responsibility for Keystone XL Tar Sands Decision

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2013) – A majority in the U.S. House today voted for Nebraska GOP Rep. Lee Terry’s legislation, The Northern Route Approval Act,” that seeks to speed up approval for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline by eliminating the need for a presidential permit.

Franz Matzner, associate director of government affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council, made these comments on the vote:

“While the outcome was disappointing, today’s vote showed that more members of Congress than ever recognize the facts about the flawed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline project. The facts are: It would pipe some of the dirtiest oil on the planet through America’s heartland for export overseas. It would jeopardize thousands of jobs and endanger farms ranches and communities with spills. And it would be a disaster for the climate.

“Another symbolic vote in Congress doesn’t change these facts one iota. At the end of the day, the buck still stops with President Obama. We look forward to him following the facts and rejecting the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline because that will safeguard our climate and communities. Those are our overriding national interests.”