WASHINGTON, January 7 (Sputnik) — The Keystone pipeline project is in US citizens’ best interest, but President Barack Obama has chosen to ignore them, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives John Boehner said.
“Fringe extremists in the president’s party are the only ones who oppose Keystone, but the president has chosen to side with them instead of the American people and the government’s own scientific evidence that this project is safe for the environment,” Boehner said in a statement Tuesday.
The statement came soon after the White House’s announcement that Obama would veto Keystone pipeline legislation if it passes the Congress.
“After years of manufacturing every possible excuse, today President Obama was finally straight with them about where he truly stands. His answer is no to more American infrastructure, no to more American energy, and no to more American jobs,” Boehner stated.
The Keystone XL pipeline would connect Alberta, Canada and the US Gulf Coast. According to Energy and Commerce Committee estimates, the pipeline would bring an additional 830,000 barrels of oil per day to US refineries. However, activists claim the Keystone XL pipeline project will contribute to carbon emissions and climate change, while being of little benefit.
