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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Nick Berning, 703-587-4454 (c), 202-222-0748 (o), nberning@foe.org
Kelly Trout, 717-439-0346 (c), 202-222-0722 (o), ktrout@foe.org

State Department Accused of Overseeing 'Broken' Process at Final Keystone XL Public Hearing

Landowners, indigenous leaders, youth and other concerned citizens to speak out against dirty tar sands oil pipeline, but will biased State Department listen?

WASHINGTON

The State Department is expected to face tough questions today about the mounting evidence of oil industry cronyism and bias in its review of the Keystone XL pipeline during the final public hearing on the project taking place in Washington, D.C.

Erich Pica, president of Friends of the Earth, who plans to testify at today's hearing, had the following statement:

"We salute the farmers, landowners, indigenous leaders, environmentalists and others who are traveling to Washington to raise their voices. It's increasingly clear that the State Department is in bed with oil lobbyists and that sustained grassroots pressure is needed to force President Obama's intervention.

"The Keystone XL pipeline would irrevocably alter the landscape of America, endangering the health of communities from Canada to Texas, in order to fuel oil company profits. Yet, in a slap to the face of all Americans who've raised their voices in opposition to this dangerous pipeline, the State Department has repeatedly ignored or dismissed these impacts and has instead coached and cheered TransCanada and its oil industry allies. Over the last two weeks, we've seen clear evidence that cronyism and cozy ties to oil lobbyists have corrupted the review process.

"The big outstanding question is: Whose side is President Obama on? President Obama could go a long way toward restoring trust by rejecting oil lobby influence and the Keystone XL pipeline. The first step is revoking the State Department's authority to approve this pipeline. The people speaking out for the health and safety of their communities deserve a process that's not rigged in big oil's favor."

More information about evidence of a biased and corrupted Keystone XL review process is available at: https://www.foe.org/new-foia-docs-reveal-smoking-gun-regarding-state-department-bias

See a graphic of the "Keystone XL Pipeline Corruption Investigation" from Oil Change International, DeSmogBlog, The Other 98% and Friends of the Earth at: https://www.foe.org/keystone-xl-pipeline-corruption-investigation

Friends of the Earth fights for a more healthy and just world. Together we speak truth to power and expose those who endanger the health of people and the planet for corporate profit. We organize to build long-term political power and campaign to change the rules of our economic and political systems that create injustice and destroy nature.

(202) 783-7400