Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
We're working to fix a technical issue causing problems with our broadcasts. We'll have it resolved as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Senate Energy Committee Passes Keystone Pipeline Bill

Montana Senator Steve Daines sits on the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee, which today passed a bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. He told the committee it’s important for Montana’s economy.

"Not everybody has a fly rod in their hand and is on the ski hill," said Daines.

Daines said the pipeline will move 100,000 barrels a day of oil produced in Montana and North Dakota.

"It’s $80 million a year in tax revenues for the state of Montana, and for these rural counties that desperately need infrastructure, to pay for roads, for bridges, for teachers, for schools."

Darrell Groutte is a rancher near Wolf Point, and the pipeline would run across his land. He says not everyone along the Keystone XL route thinks it’s a good idea. Garoutte says he worried about a pipeline spill contaminating his land and water, and that the oil it will transport is more toxic than conventional crude oil.

Watch Daines' testimony on the Keystone bill below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpE_7haG93c&feature=youtu.be

Eric Whitney is NPR's Mountain West/Great Plains Bureau Chief, and was the former news director for Montana Public Radio.
Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information
Related Content