(Oklahoma City)- In response to the Oklahoma Democratic Party's (ODP) open support of Obama's decision to kill the Keystone XL Pipeline, State Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell recently called on State Democrat Leaders to make their position known on this critical issue. To date, they've dodged the question.

"It's a simple question," said Chairman Pinnell. "Do you, Minority Leaders Scott Inman and Sean Burrage, agree with the Oklahoma Democratic Party's position that the Keystone Pipeline should not be built?"

Continued Pinnell: "Oklahoma Democrats often claim they aren't like liberal D.C. Democrats- then prove it. Denounce the ODP for choosing to side with Obama and his left wing environmentalist friends over reducing our dependency on foreign oil and the creation of Oklahoma jobs."

Following ODP Chairman Collins’s support of the Keystone decision in the state’s largest newspaper, the ODP promoted an article from the ultra-liberal “Think Progress” criticizing Senator Tom Coburn’s support of the Keystone Pipeline.

The Obama Administration's recent rejection of the Keystone Pipeline comes after the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline LP made 57 specific changes to the pipeline to comply with State Department requests, yet the Obama Administration still rejected the permit application. Reports indicate the pipeline could create up to 130,000 new jobs, including thousands right here inOklahoma. The pipeline has the support of multiple labor unions and is supported among Democrats by a 51-33 margin.

“The project has been thoroughly vetted and would clearly result in new, well-paying jobs in Oklahomaand further reduce our dependence on countries that don't like us. It’s time for Leaders Inman and Burrage to tell Oklahomans where they stand on this critical issue. We're still waiting,” concluded Pinnell.

The Facts about the Keystone XL Pipeline

• The Keystone Pipeline was expected to result in as many as 130,000 jobs

• The Keystone Pipeline has the support of four major labor unions

• The Obama Administration’s decision could lead TransCanada to seek different export markets, such as China

• TransCanada made 57 different modifications to the pipeline design to comply with State Department requests

• The Keystone XL Pipeline has the support of 64% of Americans, including a 51%-33% margin among Democrats

 ###

Tags: Keystone Pipeline, Matt Pinnell, Scott Inman, Sean Burrage

About the Author: OKGOP