Kansas House pushes for approval of Keystone XL pipeline
The Kansas House of Representatives adopted a resolution Tuesday urging President Barack Obama and the State Department to approve permits to allow construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to begin. Federal approval is required because the Keystone XL pipeline crosses international boundaries.
The Keystone XL oil pipeline is pictured under construction in North Dakota in this undated photograph. Opponents have delayed the Keystone XL pipeline project for four years over concerns that extracting oil from Alberta tar sands would increase global warming.
TransCanada Corporation/Handout/Reuters
Topeka, Kan.
Kansas House members are pressing the White House and the U.S. State Department to approve a permit for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas.
The House of Representatives voted 108-11 on Tuesday to adopt a nonbinding resolution urging President Barack Obama and the State Department to approve permits to allow construction to begin. Federal approval is required because the pipeline crosses international boundaries.
Opponents have delayed the project for four years over concerns that extracting oil from Alberta tar sands would increase global warming. The project was further delayed when Nebraska officials objected to the proposed route through the state.
A recent State Department report raised no major objections to the project, which has already been constructed through Kansas.
The House resolution goes to the Senate.