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Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) weighs in on the debate over the Keystone XL Pipeline Project, and his push to have a decision made in 60 days.
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Project altogether.
That is not.
-- the senator Richard Lugar thinks he sponsored.
The legislation requiring the president to decide quickly and he joins us now so senator Lugar.
We have this sort of automatic -- and by the greens and some members the administration is sixty days is not long enough and therefore.
We have to killed the pipeline to which you say what.
Well our law very specifically says that the State Department August 26.
Issued its final environmental.
-- study.
It was a longer study -- has been taken for any other pipeline and they took over three years.
So in essence they've said the environmental situation is Spanish but we also added as a precaution.
The fact that some negotiation is still proceed with the state of Nebraska.
Not over whether the pipeline should be built.
But the specific routes there is general agreement now -- that -- ought to go so that really is not an inhibiting factor.
They there's basic problem here is that some environmentalists.
Have taken the position.
That the Canadian drilling -- procedures for oil.
Are environmentally very unsatisfactory.
But secondly and -- of the more profound argument and they say that they're providing this amount of abundant oil for the United States.
Virtually guarantees.
The citizens of the United States are going to be using oil for a long time ago and that is totally unsatisfying.
As far as they're concerned because they believe.
It produces CO2 other gases right defeats the climate change situation.
I think -- -- -- the nail right on the head it's it's it's people who are opposed to carbon energy no matter what form it takes.
Who want to kill -- Iceland.
That's right and so it doesn't matter really what the timeline is for the presence decision.
We've sharpen this pencil down to sixty days because.
Most of us believe the jobs are the basic -- American at 20000 jobs are provided almost immediately plus all sorts of jobs.
Coming in from states like mine and Indiana.
That would provide trucks and various other situations.
It's -- godsend in terms of new jobs new income for America and furthermore.
-- we do not want to rebuff a wonderful -- in Canada.
Who have already pointed out if we won't take the oil they will send it to China.
And they are going to produce the oil so the argument over the drilling procedures is beside the point.
The question is whether the United States will finally began to solve the independence issue with regard oil.
Or whether we in fact to make ourselves more liable for difficult -- in the.
Well -- the most important group of all I think are the people in whose state this pipeline will be going particularly the folks in Nebraska.
The governor Nebraska Heineman was Republican by the way originally was against third day of the original pipeline route.
It was redraw and as further specifications of of Nebraska is.
And now he's in favor that people who were gonna have this pipeline in their backyard are in favor of it and instead of going to them -- for a decision about the pipeline the administration turns to small group of people inside the beltway these Green lobbyists.
Are precisely.
And via the senators already up and down the pipeline are very much in favor of it.
One night drafted the legislation.
With the help -- the senator from a North Dakota senator from Louisiana.
And then about especially the -- of senator Mitch McConnell.
We had almost a minute and 41 co sponsors.
We had a huge press conference in which.
The senate was clearly on record and that's why it was included in the 89 to ten vote on the legislation you've mentioned.
And yet it's not only the greens it's not all the environmentalists who were were saying that this this sixty day live is gonna -- -- pop rightist members of the president's own administration.
I guess what -- you've got your your ear to the ground here what's the rumblings of what's happening here what are you hearing.
Is the president likely to go a long would that anti pipeline lobby.
Well it's a difficult decision for the president politically.
And I to understand that on the one hand.
He does want jobs he does one greater independence.
From foreign oil and all the problems that are there.
But the same time the president heard loud and clear from us several thousand people who surrounded the White House not -- short time ago.
And they just said very sort of Mr.
President if you want the environmental.
Lobby -- behind you in the presidential campaign.
Get real and kill this thing or a postpone indefinitely at least -- money thirteen beyond the election.
So that does matter fact is not an election issue.
Well -- but senator we.
We have to go away so it's going to be a short answer but do you hear that the president is leaning one way or the other.
No I have not heard and my own -- you'll be with the president just signed the bill and get on with the for American jobs American energy independence is a very.
Clear cut decision seems to be senator Richard Lugar thank you for joining -- sir appreciate -- happy new year.
