Cardin Votes Against Extending the Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), a senior member of the Environment and Public Works and Foreign Relations committees, issued the following statement Tuesday after the vote against a measure to authorize an extension of the Keystone XL pipeline.

“We should never allow politics to override the rule of law, science and the health and safety of our communities. This debate was about giving a competitive advantage for the shipping of the world’s dirtiest oil from Canada through the United States – not through Canada. This oil is not destined for the U.S. market. There is very little benefit here for the United States but we would bear much of the risk. Now that the Senate has rejected this effort, let’s allow the regulatory review process and judicial proceedings to continue. Quality American jobs are being created in the oil industry and clean energy sectors without the ‘Northern Leg’ of the Keystone XL. Let’s work together on an energy policy that makes sense for America, invests in clean energy that will help our economy grow, further our energy security and be friendly to our environment.”