Republicans fear uncertain scope of Keystone study

Source: Reuters

Republicans fear uncertain scope of Keystone study

By Roberta Rampton and Scott Haggett
WASHINGTON/CALGARY, Alberta | Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:24pm EDT

(Reuters) - The scope of a planned environmental review of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada could go beyond a small disputed portion in Nebraska and threatens to delay the project further, its Republican backers in Congress said on Friday.

The State Department asked on Friday for public comments by the end of July to help determine the scope of an environmental review ordered earlier this year for the controversial pipeline. The review is designed to supplement a "final" environmental impact report issued last August.

Republicans suggested the State Department request could expand the review beyond an 88-mile (140-km) portion of the route through Nebraska that has been altered because of environmental concerns.

"In essence they're saying, 'OK, now we're going to start all over again,'" Senator John Hoeven, a Republican from North Dakota, said in an interview.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/16/us-keystone-idUSBRE85F00720120616