For Immediate Release:
Contact: Randi Scott or Micayla Lee
Lindstrom for Congress
402-614-3844
Current Keystone
XL Pipeline Plans Bad For Nebraska
Omaha, NE - September 18, 2011-Energy independence and job creation are vital catalysts to
our nation's prosperity, and in recent weeks we have seen some elected
officials including my opponent, Lee Terry, vociferously advocate for the
construction of TransCanada's very own Keystone XL Pipeline through the heart
of Nebraska. By now, most people are probably familiar with much of the
rhetoric surrounding the pipeline project, so I will not pretend to bore you with
the mundane details. I am in favor of energy independence and job creation;
however, there are many credible reasons to consider whether this project, as
it is currently proposed, is truly in Nebraska's best interest such as:
1.) The Keystone XL Pipeline may deleteriously impact
Nebraska's water supply and lead to environmental destruction. 2.) I question
that the Keystone XL Pipeline will result in the creation of long-term jobs for
the state. 3.) Our research does not support the claim that the Keystone XL
Pipeline will lead to greater energy independence. 4.) Reasonable public
officials have realized the potentially negative ramifications associated with
building the Keystone XL Pipeline over the Ogallala Aquifer. TransCanada
further argues that attempts to change the pipeline's course will adversely
affect its bottom line, resulting in a 25 percent increase in construction
costs. Since when do hardworking Nebraskans care about a foreign corporation's
bottom line? One would think that, if the pipeline had to be built, re-routing
its path would potentially mitigate irreversible damage to the Ogallala
Aquifer.
If this truly creates jobs for Nebraskans then prove it.
After all, most companies in anticipation of opening their doors or breaking
ground preemptively hire staff and employees. If the pipeline's construction is imminent, how many Nebraskans have been hired to date?
The time for true leadership on this issue is now. While
most of Nebraska's Congressional team has thoughtfully called into question the
Keystone XL Pipeline's merits, one stalwart has openly championed the interests
of a foreign-owned corporation to the detriment of Nebraska residents - Lee
Terry. Even Nebraska's chief executive, Governor Dave Heineman, has formally
expressed his reservations with the Keystone XL Pipeline stating, In a letter
to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: "I am
opposed to the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline route because it is directly over
the Ogallala Aquifer. I am concerned that the proposed pipeline will have
potentially detrimental effects on this valuable natural resource and
Nebraska's economy."
In light of the four points mentioned above, Lee Terry still
persists in his ongoing defense of corporate special interests over the
Nebraska taxpayer. What is particularly troubling is that Lee Terry would take
it upon himself to introduce a bill(H.R. 1938) to expedite the construction of
the Keystone XL Pipeline in an area that he doesn't even represent (i.e., the 3rd Congressional District). The fact that
this week the President of National Petrochemical & Refiners Association
applauded Lee Terry's efforts on the Keystone XL Pipeline further proves that
special interests, not Nebraskans are the biggest benefactors of this project.
Perhaps if Congressman Terry was not beholden to special interests, he would be
able to see the metaphorical forest through the trees and realize that pushing
the Keystone XL Pipeline is both bad policy and politics.
