WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement after voting against a bill to mandate approval of the Keystone pipeline. The bill failed to win the support needed to move forward:
"Throughout my time in public service, I've advocated for a 'do it all, do it right' strategy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and move toward energy independence - something that will require us to truly invest in clean energy as well as traditional oil and gas resources. I support responsible oil and gas production in New Mexico, which provides millions of dollars a year for education in our state, and I will fight as hard as anyone for investing in American infrastructure and jobs. But few energy issues have been as politicized as this one, and that's a big part of why I voted no today. I do not believe Congress should intervene and pass a law simply to mandate approval of one specific pipeline for one private company. The long-standing law is clear that the president - and not Congress - issues or denies permits for individual cross-border pipeline projects. I urge the administration to complete its process as soon as possible and make a decision that considers all relevant factors including the pipeline's impacts on the economy and climate change pollution."
