Udall Casts 'No' Vote On Latest Keystone Pipeline Legislation
(CBS4) - Sen. Mark Udall has cast a "no" vote on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.
The action was made after the head of the Senate energy committee on Wednesday forced a vote on the plans for the crude oil pipeline that would run from Canada and across the U.S. (but not through Colorado.) The measure is not, however, expected to make it to a vote in the full Senate and was seen by many as a show vote.
Last month CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd aired a Reality Check exploring how Udall has, in the past, voted against legislation to approve and to reject the pipeline.
Boyd reported that Udall's campaign said he is waiting for completion of a federal review process that has been delayed repeatedly.
SECTION: Reality Check
A spokesman for Udall on Thursday shared a statement from the senator on the matter:
"The Keystone XL Pipeline has been needlessly politicized. Coloradans expect better from their leaders. If this pipeline were being routed through Colorado, my constituents would want to know that science — and not politics — determined the way forward. ... I am frustrated the Obama Administration has taken more than five years to get to this point, but the technical review process needs to run its course. That's why I continue to vote against all amendments — Democratic or Republican — that would inject more politics into the pipeline review process."
Keystone XL is intended to transport more than 800,000 barrels of Canadian tar sands oil a day to refineries on the Gulf Coast. Supporters say the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and aid energy independence. Environmentalists warn of possible spills and say tar sands oil is especially "dirty" and will contribute to global warming.
The Obama administration in April said it was putting off its decision on whether to approve the pipeline indefinitely.
