State Dept. Hears from Kansas and Texas on Oil Pipeline

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — Environmentalists are lining up in Kansas to tell State Department representatives they oppose the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline, which would move oil to the Texas coast from Canada. The pipeline would go through eastern Smith County.

Rabbi Moti Rieber, coordinator of Kansas Interfaith Power & Light, joined the orderly procession of speakers Monday. The religious and environmental group leader called the 1,700-pipeline “a direct threat” to Kansas’ natural resources because of possible spills.

Gov. Sam Brownback says he supports the pipeline because it would boost national security by giving the U.S. a steady source of oil from a “friendly nation that’s next door.”

Labor union members support the pipeline because of the jobs it would create.

The State Department also is holding hearings in Texas, Montana, and elsewhere this week before deciding whether to approve the pipeline.