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Republicans and business and labor groups have urged the Obama administration to approve the pipeline as a source of much-needed jobs and a step toward North American energy independence. Environmental groups have been pressuring President Barack Obama to reject the pipeline, saying it would carry "dirty oil" that contributes to global warming. They also worry about a spill.
• "The project very much remains in the interest of the United States and we remain of confident that it will receive regulatory approval and be constructed," Girling said.
• Obama's initial rejection of the pipeline last year went over badly in Canada, which relies on the U.S. for 97 percent of its energy exports.
• The pipeline is critical to Canada, which needs infrastructure in place to export its growing oil sands production from northern Alberta. The region has the world's third largest oil reserves, with 170 billion barrels of proven reserves.
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Excerpts from recent South Dakota editorials
The Associated Press
• Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, April 20, 2013
• City kept its cool during storm
• With streets, sidewalks, roofs and yards getting cleared of branches of all size, Sioux Falls is starting to look like itself again.
• Sure, there will be gaping holes previously filled by ancient and stately trees that have provided shade and a splash of fall color. Things changed in the April ice storm of 2013.
• But just like any natural disaster, the storm brought out the good in so many people with neighbors and strangers pitching in, too. At the same time, our city's response system worked efficiently and professionally, keeping residents informed of how cleanup and the restoration of power was going. That's the way you hope it will work out when you prepare for a worst-case-scenario situation.
• City department heads, including director of public works Mark Cotter, were calm during the storm and presented orderly, sound plans to temporarily shut down streets and start clearing tree limbs and restoring power. Fire Chief Jim Sideras offered timely advice, throwing in just a little wit to remind us that even when things seem bad, it's OK to smile. The two, along with Police Chief Doug Barthel, were unflappable and showed leadership in a time when the city needed it.
• They, along with Mayor Mike Huether, held regular public briefings so that people in Sioux Falls could stay informed. We like the attitude City Hall brought to the people by telling folks it was acceptable if sidewalks didn't get cleared as soon as they (Continued on page 22)
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