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Cohen on Decision to Delay Permit of Keystone XL Pipeline

November 10, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today issued the following statement upon learning that the U.S. Department of State will delay the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline by 12 to 18 months.

For more than a year, I have been working to convince the State Department that their environmental review for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is flawed, insufficient, and dangerous to the well-being of the American people,” said Congressman Cohen, who was the only member of Congress to attend this past Sunday’s anti-Keystone rally outside the White House. “I am pleased to see that the State Department has finally recognized the inadequacy of their work and is taking the necessary time to complete a thorough, accurate review. I would like to commend the President for his leadership on this issue and dedication to protecting the environment and upholding the ideals of transparency and scientific integrity. I would also like to commend the hundreds of thousands of Americans who stood up for clean air and water and helped convince the President that more review was needed. Today is not only a victory for everyone who wants to protect the water we drink and the land we live on. It is also a victory for democracy and for the enduring gift the Founding Fathers gave us in free speech and public participation in government.

Earlier this week Congressman Cohen released a letter he received from the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of State informing him that the federal office will conduct a special review of the State Department’s handling of the Keystone XL Pipeline Permit Process. The results of this review will play a critical role in establishing the validity of the State Department’s review.