Montana News

Baucus urges quick approval of Keystone XL pipeline

Posted: Jan 24, 2013 10:53 AM by MTN News

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana Senator Max Baucus is leading a bipartisan group of senators urging the Obama administration to quickly approve the Keystone XL pipeline project.

Fifty-three senators, including nine Democrats, signed a letter to the President one day after the governor of Nebraska approved a revised route for the pipeline avoiding environmentally sensitive areas.

Opponents are concerned about the environment, while supporters say the more than $4 billion project creates jobs and would make the U.S. more energy independent.

"America can't afford to wait any longer for these jobs to finally occur. We've waited more than four years, the time has come now. We've waited too long. We've had four years of careful study, now is the time," Baucus said at a news conference.

Senator Jon Tester and Congressman Steve Daines also support the pipeline, while Governor Steve Bullock sent his own letter to the President today in support of the project.

The Obama administration says a review of the project isn't likely to be completed before the end of March.