President Barack Obama speaks at the TransCanada Pipe Yard in Cushing, Okla.. on Thursday.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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";var zflag_nid="1431";var zflag_cid="512/511";var zflag_sid="1";var zflag_width="1";var zflag_height="1";var zflag_sz="31";WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama's announcement Thursday that he has issued a directive to fast-track the southern segment of the Keystone XL pipeline was met with derision by Capitol Hill Republicans, who said he was trying to have it both ways on the matter.
At the site of the new project near Cushing, Okla., Obama said one reason for delays in approval of the overall project has been the concern expressed by Nebraskans ? including Republicans such as Gov. Dave Heineman ? about the pipeline's original route through the Sand Hills and the Ogallala Aquifer.
Obama reiterated his position that Washington lawmakers refused to give his administration enough time to review the controversial pipeline in order to ensure it wouldn't compromise the health and safety of people living nearby.
"Unfortunately, Congress decided they wanted their own timeline," Obama said in Oklahoma. "Not the company, not the experts, but members of Congress who decided this might be a fun political issue decided to try to intervene and make it impossible for us to make an informed decision."
Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., said Obama was attempting to spread misinformation and pointed out that the legislation putting a deadline on Obama's decision included an exception for the Nebraska portion of the project.
Terry appeared with Senate Republicans at a press conference Thursday at which they argued that Obama's actions were little more than a publicity stunt that wouldn't help developer TransCanada Inc. build the pipeline any sooner.
Construction on the 485-mile line from Oklahoma to the Texas Gulf Coast is expected to begin in June, with completion scheduled for next year.
"It's simply to, I think, deceive people into thinking he did something on the pipeline other than kill it," Terry said.
He added that TransCanada was always going to build that portion of the pipeline and that Obama's event Thursday was like "the rooster taking credit for the dawn."
Republicans continue looking for a way to force approval of the overall pipeline, which would tap Canadian oil sands. Terry has encouraged GOP congressional leaders to play hardball.
He suggested including the pipeline in an expected short-term extension of federal highway programs. Such a move would put the Senate on the spot, because without the extension, those programs expire at the end of the month. Other Republicans have indicated a pipeline-free extension is more likely, however.
Obama's two-day trip, highlighting his energy agenda, to Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and later in the swing state of Ohio reflected consumers' uneasiness with high gas prices.
His latest announcement was immediately condemned by environmental groups, which said the president "has gone 180 degrees in the wrong direction in less than 180 days."
Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska expressed disappointment.
"When you fast-track a project, you cut corners, and no one should cut corners when folks' land and water is at risk," Kleeb said.
This report includes material from the Associated Press.
Contact the writer:
202-630-4823, joe.morton@owh.com
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Source: http://www.omaha.com/article/20120323/NEWS01/703239931
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