On Nov. 6, President Barack Obama announced that his administration rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. According to the Keystone XL website, the proposed project would have created a 1,179-mile pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to Steele City, Nebraska. According to BBC, the pipeline would be an addition to the existing Keystone pipeline, the goal being to provide a more direct route from Canada to Texas. The original pipeline was approved in 2008 by former President George W. Bush. BBC also reported that Keystone XL would be privately funded by energy company TransCanada and oil shippers.
According to CNN, in an official statement about why he rejected the project, Obama said, “America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change, and, frankly, approving this project would have undercut that leadership.” The following statements were made by 2016 presidential candidates in regards to the Keystone XL pipeline.
- “I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe it is ― a distraction from important work we have to do on climate change. And, unfortunately, from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward with all the other issues.”—Hillary Clinton, in an interview with CNN on Sept. 22.
- “The Keystone pipeline is a no brainer. Moves us toward energy independence and creates jobs. President Obama must stop playing politics and sign the bill.”—Jeb Bush, on his official Facebook page on Feb. 24
- “[The pipeline] is perfectly safe, so I can’t really see a good reason not to do it.” –Ben Carson, in an interview with Bloomberg on Nov. 26, 2014.
- “Not only is Keystone a major job creator, delays in its approval sends an unfortunate signal on multiple fronts. Approving Keystone would actually drive down the price of oil and help consumers in all North American countries. It should be done today.”— Chris Christie, in a policy speech in Mexico on Sept. 3, 2014
- “Well, first, just on Keystone pipeline, perhaps the president will veto this, but on what basis would he do so? The American people support it by wide majorities. What we are doing today is actually worse for global greenhouse gas emissions than the Keystone pipeline would be. It would create jobs despite his bizarre statement that it wouldn’t. Two and a half years of a process, that’s either purposeful foot dragging or it’s incompetence. And the American people know that. I think that the Republicans should do is soberly and systematically pass bills that make sense that have bipartisan support. And Keystone XL pipeline is one of them.”—Carly Fiorina, on PBS News Hour series on May 4
- “Building this pipeline is essential to our national security by reducing our dependence on oil from countries that hate us. Keystone represents sound environmental policy that will move the American economy in the right direction and strengthen our national security.”—Lindsey Graham, in a news release on his campaign website on Sept. 22
- “President Obama’s decision not to move forward on the Keystone pipeline is a mistake. This decision offers even more appalling evidence that this administration is hopelessly rudder-less in its jobs and energy policies. By not acting on Keystone, the president is depriving America of a means to create jobs, take a step towards energy independence and bolster our national security by tapping into our energy resources and those of our friends in Canada instead of tyrannical governments.”—Marco Rubio, in a statement on Jan. 18, 2012
- “If I am elected president, I will immediately approve the Keystone XL pipeline. No impact on environment and lots of jobs for U.S.”—Donald Trump, in an official Tweet on Aug. 18
- “The Keystone pipeline should be an easy decision for any president, an easy decision for anybody with an IQ above broccoli.”—Mike Huckabee, at a campaign stop in Iowa on May 8
- “As much as we need to approve the Keystone pipeline, we need to think far broader than that. We need to do far more.”—Ted Cruz, at the Heritage Action for America Conservative Policy Summit on Feb. 10, 2014
- “The Keystone pipeline would instantly create thousands of jobs without costing taxpayers a dime. It would also strengthen our alliance with neighboring Canada and wean our energy dependence from the Middle East. The Keystone pipeline is in America’s best interest.”—Rand Paul, in a speech in 2013
- “The pipeline would not only constitute a boon for our economy, but also for our energy security. Many of our states are at the forefront of America’s energy boom, producing more alternative energy, oil and natural gas than ever before.”—John Kasich, in a bill signed along with 23 other Republican governors in February
- “It’s time for Pres. Obama to help hardworking American families by approving #keystone pipeline!”—Rick Santorum, in an official tweet published on Feb. 6, 2014
- “We must make significant reductions in carbon emissions and break our dependency on fossil fuels. That is why I have helped lead the fight in the Senate against the Keystone pipeline which would transport some of the dirtiest fossil fuel in the world. It is hard for me to understand how one can be concerned about climate change but not vigorously oppose the Keystone pipeline.”—Bernie Sanders, in a statement released on July 28
- “On day one, I would reject projects like Keystone XL and deny new permits for drilling in Alaska, the Arctic and off our coasts.”—Martin O’Malley, in an official Tweet published on July 27
