BREAKING NEWS

President Obama: No Keystone XL Pipeline for Now, Victory Declared!

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Briefs. Discussion »

No Permit

Native Brief: WASHINGTON - Several environmental groups have declared victory because of President Obama's announcement today to delay making a decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The proposed pipeline coming down through the Plains states has caused great concern, particularly among the Oglala in South Dakota. The proposed pipeline route is right though the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations. It will cross the Oglala Sioux Rural Water Supply System in two places.

Below is President Obama's statement sent to the Native News Network via email:

Statement by the President on the State Department's Keystone XL Pipeline Announcement:

I support the State Department's announcement today regarding the need to seek additional information about the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal. Because this permit decision could affect the health and safety of the American people as well as the environment, and because a number of concerns have been raised through a public process, we should take the time to ensure that all questions are properly addressed and all the potential impacts are properly understood. The final decision should be guided by an open, transparent process that is informed by the best available science and the voices of the American people. At the same time, my administration will build on the unprecedented progress we've made towards strengthening our nation's energy security, from responsibly expanding domestic oil and gas production to nearly doubling the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks, to continued progress in the development of a clean energy economy.

Keystone XL Pipeline Map

posted November 10, 2011 5:30 pm est