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October 10, 2011

State Department Assigned Keystone XL Pipeline Impact Study to Company With Ties To Operator 
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The State Department is coming under increasing criticism over its
review process of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. The New
York Times has revealed the State Department assigned an important
environmental impact study of the pipeline to a company with financial
ties to pipeline operator Trans Canada. That study found the 1,700-mile
pipeline would have “limited adverse environmental impacts." According
to the Times, the State Department allowed Trans Canada to solicit and
screen bids for the environmental study. Trans Canada eventually
recommended a Houston firm called Cardno Entrix to the study. In its
marketing materials, Cardno Entrix has described itself as a "major
client" of Keystone.



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