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After weeks of headlines from Nebraska to Washington, the Keystone XL pipeline was missing in action Tuesday night during President Obama’s State of the Union Address.
Senator Mike Johanns (NE-R) calls it a “missed oppurtunity.”
At least one Nebraska farmer couldn’t disagree more.
After the President touted clean energy and more home grown energy, Johanns issued a statement questioning Mr. Obama’s sincerity.
“I also welcome expanding our domestic energy reserves, but those promises ring hollow just days after his hasty rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Johanns. ”Not revisiting that decision tonight was a missed opportunity to create tens of thousands of American jobs and decrease our dependence on unfriendly energy sources.”
Johanns words were echoed in the official Republican response to the President. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels ripping the President’s decision to cancel a “perfectly safe pipeline that would employ tens of thousands.”
But one of the XL’s most outspoken critics, Merrick County landowner Randy Thompson, fired back Tuesday night.
“As a registered Republican for over forty years I am appalled at the course of action that my party has chosen to take in regards to the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Thompson. “Much to his credit President Obama has heard the voices of those of us who could have our livelihoods and way of life threatened by this project, and he has hit the brakes.”
On Wednesday the pipeline debate returns to Washington with a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org
