By EPW Blog ——Bio and Archives--February 27, 2012
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"I am pleased to learn that TransCanada is not giving up on Keystone and that it still plans to move forward with the portion of the pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf," Senator Inhofe said. "This is great news for Oklahoma: this smaller pipeline project will create 1,200 jobs immediately in our state. As a TransCanada spokesman put it, 'From the day we get approval, we believe in one month we'll be digging. That's how ready we are.' It also means that Oklahoma will finally have the infrastructure we need to transport our immense crude supplies - and this will greatly enhance our energy security. "The largest obstacles standing in the way of this pipeline from Cushing to the Gulf are Army Corps of Engineers permits under the Clean Water Act and potential consultations by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Because the Environment and Public Works Committee has primary jurisdiction over these processes, I called Senator Boxer today and requested that our committee hold a field hearing in Cushing to fulfill our oversight responsibilities. I believe that by bringing everyone together, we can ensure the quickest path forward. "Of course, this smaller pipeline would in no way replace the need for the larger Keystone XL project, but a pipeline from Cushing the Gulf is a no-brainer. Even as President Obama squandered the best job creating opportunity he has ever had by rejecting Keystone, he still made a commitment to 'partner with the oil and gas industry to increase our energy security - including the potential development of an oil pipeline from Cushing, Oklahoma to the Gulf of Mexico.' In Oklahoma we are taking him at his word. "I hope Senator Boxer will agree to hold this important hearing in Cushing, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we focus on getting the smaller and larger Keystone project done."
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