Sen. Whitehouse Issues Statement on Keystone Pipeline Approval

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., issued the following statement on the State Department permit issued for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

"At the bidding of his fossil fuel overlords, President Trump is ramming through a project that makes no economic sense and will inflict damage on our climate and Americans' health and safety.

"One of the big reasons this project wasn't moving forward is because the numbers just don't add up. With continued low oil prices, the industry's own analysis shows there are cheaper and cleaner sources of energy available.

"And this deal is even worse when you look at the long-term. Climate change is no hoax, whether the industry whispering in Donald Trump's ear likes it or not. Keystone will lead to the burning of one of the world's dirtiest oils and release over 180 million metric tons of carbon, the primary pollutant driving climate change. Rhode Islanders and Americans everywhere will be left with rising sea levels, stronger storms, drought, forest fires, and serious public health consequences.

"The fossil fuel industry has duped President Trump into a bad deal. We will be living with the consequences of that deal for generations."

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