Environmental and voters’ groups ask for public comment period on Keystone pipeline
A coalition of 32 groups, including the League of Conservation Voters, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Nebraska, have written a letter to Sec.
Jul 31, 202024.5K Shares511.6K Views
A coalition of 32 groups, including the League of Conservation Voters, the National Wildlife Federation and Audubon Nebraska, have written a letter to Sec. of State Hillary Clinton requesting a longer period for public comment on the Keystone XL pipeline.
The State Department is in the process of considering the project, which would carry Canadian tar sands crude oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast of the United States. Environmental groups call the plan unnecessary and a threat to sensitive environments along the pipeline’s proposed route.
The agency is expected to issue a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the project later this month and then offer a 45 day window for public comment on the matter; this coalition wants that extended to 120 days and also want the agency to hold public hearings.
“„We are writing to formally request an extension of the proposed comment period on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the Keystone XL pipeline project from 45 to 120 days. We also request that the State Department hold a number of hearings during the public comment period. A longer public comment period combined with public hearings is critical to allow the public, including landowners and others along the proposed route of the pipeline to provide meaningful comments.
“„The Keystone XL pipeline will have significant environmental impacts, and is of great interest to our millions of members and supporters. Many of our organizations have written to you before (see attached letter) regarding our concerns surrounding tar sands and the permitting process for this pipeline, the extent of new information surrounding the project that has arisen since the release of the draft environmental impact statement, and the significantly increased interest in this project and its potential impacts.
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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