The U.S. State department has decided to punt, again, on making a final decision on the Keystone XL pipeline.

Montana's congressional representation, both Democrats and Republicans have vocally supported the Keystone XL pipeline which would provide some short term jobs, as well as a long term influx of tax dollars from the Canadian company.

Just hours after the announcement of another delay, representative Steve Daines released the following statement to the press:

“President Obama has made it abundantly clear that he will do everything possible to block this job-creating project—once again choosing political expediency over the needs of the American people. The Keystone XL pipeline would create hundreds of good Montana jobs and grow Montana’s energy sector by providing needed infrastructure to support production on Montana’s Bakken oil field,” Daines stated today. “Montanans have waited far too long for the President to act— that’s why I helped introduce and pass legislation to take approval out of President Obama’s hands, and allow for the Keystone XL pipeline to be approved. Unfortunately, the Senate has refused to take up this common sense bill for nearly a year—instead standing by the President’s refusal to put Americans back to work and approve this shovel-ready project. Enough is enough—no more delays, no more excuses. It’s time for the Senate and the President to get serious about creating American jobs and build the Keystone XL pipeline.”

So far, no statement has been sent out by either Senators Jon Tester or John Walsh, but Governor Steve Bullock has weighed in saying:

“I am very disappointed in today’s decision by the Obama Administration to once again unnecessarily delay construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. This project will be a shot in the arm to our economy by creating much-needed jobs, and will advance our domestic energy security. This has been pending for over 5 years. If we made decisions on permits this way in Montana, our economy would grind to a halt. At a time when our national unemployment rate remains near 7%, Montanans demand decisive action from Washington, DC, not further delays.”

Critics say the Keystone XL pipeline decision was purposefully maneuvered to occur after the November elections to protect vulnerable democrats who are in the tough position of trying to appease both their union and environmentalist bases, which disagree over the construction of the pipeline.

 

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