State Department Investigation: Pressure On Obama To Hold Off Pipeline Nod
The State Department's independent inspector general is probing the handling of a controversial proposal to build an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas, which has become under intense scrutiny both for environmental concerns as well as potential conflicts of interest.
An outspoken congressional critic of the proposed 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline is urging President Obama to delay any decision on the future of the project until the inspector general review is complete.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the left-leaning Vermont independent, on Monday released a letter from an official in State's inspector general office, confirming that an investigation is underway.
Sanders and other lawmakers had requested such a probe.
"The State Department inspector general has informed me that it is reviewing the department's handling of an environmental impact study related to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project. I appreciate the inspector general's responsiveness to our request and the willingness to treat this important matter, and the allegations of conflicts of interest, with the seriousness it deserves," Sanders says. "This is a critically important issue for our environment and the energy future of our country. At a time when all credible scientific evidence and opinion indicate that we are losing the battle against global warming, it is imperative that we have objective environmental assessments of major carbon-dependent energy projects.
"I once again urge President Obama to defer any decision on the pipeline until the State Department investigation has been completed," Sanders adds.
Consideration of the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline has sparked an outcry for environmental reasons, particularly for the possibility it could contaminate U.S. drinking water. But it also has shown a spotlight on the underside of the lobbying world. A key lobbyist for TransCanada, a firm pushing for the pipeline, once worked for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
According to a memorandum from Inspector General Harold Geisel, the primary objective of the investigation will be "to determine to what extent the Department and all other parties involved complied with Federal laws and regulations relating to the Keystone XL pipeline permit process."
The State Department must give approval to the project because it would cross the U.S. border.
Opposition to the pipeline project has been so fierce as to spark protests in Washington, resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
An in-depth explanation of the project and its controversies is available online here.
Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:
Bookmark The Washington Current and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
An outspoken congressional critic of the proposed 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline is urging President Obama to delay any decision on the future of the project until the inspector general review is complete.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the left-leaning Vermont independent, on Monday released a letter from an official in State's inspector general office, confirming that an investigation is underway.
Sanders and other lawmakers had requested such a probe.
"The State Department inspector general has informed me that it is reviewing the department's handling of an environmental impact study related to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project. I appreciate the inspector general's responsiveness to our request and the willingness to treat this important matter, and the allegations of conflicts of interest, with the seriousness it deserves," Sanders says. "This is a critically important issue for our environment and the energy future of our country. At a time when all credible scientific evidence and opinion indicate that we are losing the battle against global warming, it is imperative that we have objective environmental assessments of major carbon-dependent energy projects.
"I once again urge President Obama to defer any decision on the pipeline until the State Department investigation has been completed," Sanders adds.
Consideration of the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline has sparked an outcry for environmental reasons, particularly for the possibility it could contaminate U.S. drinking water. But it also has shown a spotlight on the underside of the lobbying world. A key lobbyist for TransCanada, a firm pushing for the pipeline, once worked for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
According to a memorandum from Inspector General Harold Geisel, the primary objective of the investigation will be "to determine to what extent the Department and all other parties involved complied with Federal laws and regulations relating to the Keystone XL pipeline permit process."
The State Department must give approval to the project because it would cross the U.S. border.
Opposition to the pipeline project has been so fierce as to spark protests in Washington, resulting in more than 1,000 arrests.
An in-depth explanation of the project and its controversies is available online here.
Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:
Bookmark The Washington Current and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
Labels: Bernie Sanders, inspector general, investigation, State Department
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2:15 PM
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