The Keystone Pipeline project pumps oil from Canada through eight U.S. States to refineries in Illinois and Texas. It was completed in 2014, and a shortcut, the Keystone XL, was proposed that would go through Montana instead of North Dakota, and boost volume.
Congress approved the Keystone XL expansion in early 2015, but it was vetoed by President Barack Obama because the route passed through a crucial swath of ecologically sensitive land in Nebraska.
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This debate over the project has been heated on both sides of the issue. Here are 10 quotes from U.S. Governors:
1. "It's time to get this thing moving. A few years back, the governor wrote the president, calling the pipeline a shot in the arm to Montana's economy. I'm strong on where I am with the Keystone. What happens in Washington D.C., I can't necessarily influence. I think a decision needs to be made." —
Montana Governor Steve Bullock, told ABC Fox Montana earlier this month, after President Barack Obama vetoed the pipeline bill.
2. "As governors, our foremost priority is to grow and strengthen our state economies. We can achieve that in the states and throughout the country by building the Keystone XL pipeline. The President has the power to create good-paying jobs and bolster our nation's energy security right now with a simple stroke of a pen. For those reasons and many others, we strongly support that this project must move forward." — Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, who was one of 24 governors to send a Feb. 12, 2015 letter to President Obama.
3. "I said, 'I can't believe he will veto the bill.' But he did. He hasn't had to explain his decision. He needs to look in the eyes of an Illinois family and tell them why they aren't getting the jobs. This is nothing more than placating a tiny slice of the voters." — Texas Governor Rick Perry, after President Obama vetoed the pipeline bill,
according to The Washington Post.
4. "In the United States, we already have over 2.2 million miles of pipelines. Canada has tens of thousands of miles of pipelines. In both cases, the safety record is sound — they have demonstrated "five nines" reliability — a 99.99 percent safety record. That brings us, of course, to the major debate on the Keystone XL pipeline. I have made my view on this clear. My view is that we are missing an enormous opportunity when we delay its development." — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, on Dec. 4, 2014.
5. "We are sorely disappointed by President Obama's decision to veto the Keystone XL pipeline legislation. This project is a bipartisan, common-sense opportunity to create thousands of good-paying jobs and bolster our nation's energy security. In spite of the President's opposition, my fellow Republican governors and I will continue to strongly support American energy as we work to grow and strengthen our state economies." — Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin said Feb. 24, 2015, in a statement released by the Republican Governors Association.
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6. "Construction and operation of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline, with the mitigation and commitments from Keystone would have minimal environmental impacts in Nebraska." — Former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman, in a letter to President Obama and former president Bill Clinton, in January 2013,
according to Fox News.
7. "I strongly support an "all-of-the-above" energy policy that includes additional development of wind, clean coal, and bio-fuels. However, it is clear that oil will remain one of our state's primary sources of energy for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the importance of having access to a reliable and affordable supply of oil cannot be overstated." — Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, on September 2011, during a meeting held by the U.S. Department of State.
8. "The approval and construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline will strengthen our economy, create jobs and promote North American energy independence." — Missouri Governor Jay Nixon wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, in March 2014.
9. "The President should do what is right for the nation and approve the cross-border project. The Keystone Pipeline would improve our nation's energy security, it would move North Dakota crude to market and it would create thousands of jobs. I urge the President to reverse his position and allow the entire project to move forward without further delay." — North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, in February 2012.
10. "South Dakota oil will be that much more valuable because it has a transportation route through the XL pipeline." — South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard
told The Bismark Tribune, on Sept. 29, 2011.
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