Letter to The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State

Letter

Dear Secretary Clinton:

As you know, I have followed closely the ongoing State Department review of the pending Keystone XL pipeline permit application. I have made clear that while I oppose neither the development of the oil that will flow in the pipeline, nor the pipeline itself, I am convinced that the proposed route is the wrong route and should be rejected.

For this reason, I noted with interest your decision today to reexamine the proposed route in Nebraska. If the announcement is a sincere effort to identify a better route within my state, I applaud the decision. I am concerned, however, that the Department's move today may serve only to delay the final decision until after ht presidential election.

I would be very disappointed if - after investing substantial additional time - the Department's ultimate decision on TransCanada's permit application approves the current proposed Nebraska route.

Considering your agency has studied the proposed route for several years, keeping it under consideration makes no sense given today's announcement. Please therefore consider this letter a formal request that he Department of State immediately acknowledge that the current route is no longer being considered.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Mike Johanns
United states Senator

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