Rep. Allen West isn't too happy about the State Department's decision -- or as West says, "Campaigner-in-Chief" Obama's decision -- to delay the Keystone XL Pipeline project, which means it's time for another rhetoric-loaded statement from the congressman.
According to the State Department, a more thorough analysis of some of the issues regarding the pipeline -- chiefly the environmental issues of running it through the Sand Hills in Nebraska -- would put the project back up for consideration in 2013.
In West's opinion, that's "pathetic."
"Campaigner-in-Chief is at it again, this time denying America a positive step towards achieving energy independence," West says. "The President's decision to delay further study of the Keystone XL oil sands project is an indicator that American jobs, restoring our economy, and our national security is not as important as his personal self-interest and that of radical environmentalists.....pathetic."
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, a Republican, reportedly called the Legislature into a special session over the projected path through the state's Sand Hills and asked the Obama administration to deny the permit for the project.
Here's how the State Department explained the problem with running the pipeline through the area:
The comments were consistent with the information in the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) about the unique combination of characteristics in the Sand Hills (which includes a high concentration of wetlands of special concern, a sensitive ecosystem, and extensive areas of very shallow groundwater) and provided additional context and information about those characteristics. The concern about the proposed route's impact on the Sand Hills of Nebraska has increased significantly over time, and has resulted in the Nebraska legislature convening a special session to consider the issue.
A statement from the White House says President Obama supported the decision and added that the "final decision should be guided by an open, transparent process that is informed by the best available science and the voices of the American people."
It doesn't appear as if West and his supporters approve of the "pathetic" decision.
After West posted his comments on his Facebook page, one supporter asked, "And WHEN are the ones we PAY in washington going to STOP the terrorist in the oval office???"
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