Can someone here tell me why the STATE Dept. is calling the shots on this pipeline? Seems to me that Interior, or Commerce, or Energy should be doing this.
Is it because the pipeline comes from Canada? Just seems strange, but . . .
Here yah go;)
The Obama administration just announced the rejection of the controversial $7 billion Keystone Pipeline.
Juliet Eilperin of The Washington Post, first broke the news that the State Department, which led the review of the project, would reject a permit for the pipeline.
The rejection is expected to come from the State Department which has led the review
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/obama-to-deny-keystone-pipeline-2012-1#ixzz1jqYHjQ9M
Because it crosses an international border, the State Department gets to approve or reject it based upon being in the interest of the nation.
http://www.keystonepipeline-xl.state.gov/clientsite/keystonexl.nsf?Open
In September 2008, TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP filed an application for a Presidential Permit with the Department of State to build and operate the Keystone XL Project. Executive Order 13337 directs the State Department to review applications for Presidential permits when the proposed project would cross an international border with the United States. It also directs the Secretary of State, or her designee, to consult with at least eight other federal agencies, and then issue a decision as to whether granting a permit is in the national interest.
More info:
It has been this way for a while:
Executive Order 13337 of April 30, 2004
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10378.pdf
Except with respect to facilities covered by Executive Order
10485 of September 3, 1953, and Executive Order 10530 of May 10, 1954, the Secretary of State is hereby designated and empowered to receive all applications for Presidential permits, as referred to in Executive Order 11423, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, or other fuels to or from a foreign country.
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Executive Order 11423 of Aug. 16, 1968
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11423.html
Except with respect to facilities covered by Executive Orders No. 10485 and No. 10530, the Secretary of State is hereby designated and empowered to receive all applications for permits for the construction, connection, operation, or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of: (i) pipelines, conveyor belts, and similar facilities for the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal, minerals, or other products to or from a foreign country; (ii) facilities for the exportation or importation of water or sewage to or from a foreign country; (iii) monorails, aerial cable cars, aerial tramways and similar facilities for the transportation of persons or things, or both, to or from a foreign country; and (iv) bridges, to the extent that congressional authorization is not required.