Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement today after the U.S. State Department released its draft environmental assessment of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

“With the release of this draft analysis, the Administration has an opportunity to do something good for the energy security of our country and for job creation,” Sen. Moran said. “I call upon the President to approve the project, progress through the permitting process and allow the American workforce to move our country toward greater energy security with the building of the Keystone XL pipeline.”

Last month, Sen. Moran called on new Secretary of State John Kerry to quickly approve the Keystone XL Pipeline after his confirmation by the Senate. The job-creating, domestic energy-producing project is supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans, yet the Obama Administration has again delayed its decision with the U.S. Department of State now saying it will not come before summer 2013.

The original Keystone pipeline already moves crude oil from Steele City, Neb., to the processing facility in Cushing, Okla. The Keystone XL Pipeline would use the existing infrastructure to safely move crude through Kansas. As the ongoing operation of the original Keystone pipeline illustrates, crude oil can be moved safely over long distances.

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