Washington (March 23, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-chair of the Senate Climate Clearinghouse, released the following statement on media reports that the State Department plans to approve the Keystone XL pipeline project.

“Donald Trump’s so-called ‘America First’ energy agenda is really about putting Big Oil first by advancing the Keystone XL pipeline project. The Keystone pipeline would be a straw running through the heart of America to transport the dirtiest oil in the world to the thirstiest foreign markets. The Keystone XL pipeline would ask America to bear all of the environmental risk without actually guaranteeing that the oil would stay here to bolster our energy security. As we continue to import five million barrels of foreign oil every day, including three million from OPEC nations, it makes no sense to move forward with a pipeline that will harm consumers, our environment and our national security.”