Pinnell calls on Democrat leaders to repudiate ODP's opposition to the Keystone Pipeline 

(Oklahoma City)- In response to the Oklahoma Democratic Party's (ODP) open support of the Keystone XL Pipeline decision by the Obama Administration, State Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell today is calling on State Democrat Leaders to make their position known on this critical issue.

In an Oklahoman article last week, ODP Chairman Wallace Collins defended the President's decision.

"If the ODP is choosing to side with Obama and his left wing environmental friends over the creation of Oklahoma jobs, then the ODP is further out of touch than even I thought," said Pinnell. "It is shocking that the ODP would support policies that are detrimental to the well-being of countless Oklahomans. Today, I'm calling on Democrat Minority Leaders in both the State House and Senate- Scott Inman and Sean Burrage- to stand up and be counted on this critical election issue. Do they support their own State Democratic Party in their opposition to the Keystone Pipeline? Oklahoma voters deserve an answer."

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

The Obama Administration recently rejected the Keystone Pipeline citing time constraints and environmental concerns. TransCanada Keystone Pipeline LP filed a Presidential Permit application with the State Department in 2008. In 2011, TransCanada 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 in Oklahoma. The pipeline has the support of multiple labor unions and is supported among Democrats by a 51-33 margin.

“The facts on the Keystone XL Pipeline are clear,” continued Pinnell. “The project has been thoroughly vetted and would clearly result in new, well-paying jobs in Oklahoma and would 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.”

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

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Tags: Keystone Pipeline, Keystone XL, Scott Inman, Sean Burrage