After a seven-year review process that gave rise to a grassroots climate activist movement, the Obama administration rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline on Friday, a decision that handed a major victory to environmentalists. Obama announced his determination at a morning news conference in the Roosevelt Room, alongside Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Biden.
“The State Dept has decided the Keystone XL Pipeline would not serve the national interests of the U.S.,” Obama said. “I agree with that decision.”
The move comes only weeks ahead of a crucial climate summit in Paris, where diplomats will work to forge a new global warming agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions for all countries starting in 2020. The administration has committed to reducing U.S. carbon emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and is pushing for an ambitious climate agreement to be forged.
During his statement on Keystone, Obama confirmed for the first time that he will be going to Paris to join other world leaders in addressing the summit.
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