WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump got ahead of himself Friday when he said he’s approved construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Trump has signed an order asking the TransCanada pipeline company to “resubmit its application” for a permit to build the project, which it has done. And there’s no question Trump is in favor of it. But his statement in South Carolina about the “Keystone pipeline I approved recently” was premature.
There’s still a regulatory process to go through and negotiations to be done. Trump has said he’d renegotiate some of the terms and is insisting that the pipeline be built with U.S. steel. TransCanada has said it would need time to review how any buy-American plan from Washington will impact the company.
Late in his presidency, Barack Obama rejected Keystone XL on environmental grounds.
Trump’s order directs the State Department and other agencies to make a decision within 60 days of the application.
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And if TransCanada says no to buying US steel, Trump will use his mighty deal closing skills and accept steel from Russian or China.
Meh, given how Western Nebraska rewarded liberal environmental activists and the Obama administrations work fighting this by going for Trump by a ~50% margin, I find myself far more concerned with the Dakota Access pipeline and protecting the Native American communities there from getting screwed by the US Government once again.
Fine tuned machine, you know.
Details, details. Plus look at how those pesky rules and regulations are slowing the creation of thousands of jobs. Get 'em outta heah!