Republicans Oppose Keystone XL Pipeline To Protect The Environment

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman was joined by Senator Mike Johanns in opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline, but not for same environmental cause as NASA's James Hansen, Montana's own Margo Kidder, and onetime sultry actress Daryl Hannah.

Nebraska governor asks Obama to nix Keystone pipeline Aug 31, 2011
Montana governor supports the project'The governor of Nebraska urged U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday to block TransCanada's planned Keystone oil pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf Coast, saying it could hurt a regional water source.

The State Department could issue a presidential permit for the $7 billion project, which would boost U.S. dependence on Canada's controversial oilsands. Momentum for Keystone picked up last week after the department said the project would have only limited impact on the environment.

The State Department should deny the permit on the grounds that the line could put the Ogallala Aquifer at risk, the Midwestern state's governor, Dave Heineman, said in a letter to the president and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.'
...The Nebraska Governor's letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton in opposition can currently be found here, while the Montana Governor's letter in support to the Secretary of State, although not readily available on his web site, is apparently available here.


Far from being against the environment or anti-environment, Democratic Governor Schweitzer has taken the lead on climate change; who could forget the 2007 commercial with Jon Huntsman and Arnold Schwarzenegger advocating the capping of greenhouse gases for the Environmental Defense Action Fund.

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I happen to agree with Governor Schweitzer on the Keystone XL Pipeline's need, but I'm a bit leery on when a connection in Montana would actually be developed. Given recent history, I'm also concerned about the eminent domain issues that may arise because of the pipeline against Montana landowners.

*** Update Oct 3, 2011 ***
Some major Montana Democrats have their name all over the newest Keystone XL pipeline FARA scandal. For example, Governor Schweitzer's name and support letter was being bandied about in a document dated late last month, and Senator Jon Tester's name has been mentioned in a Checks and Balances post from around the same time.
*** End Update ***