Washington, D.C. – Rep. Raúl Grijalva released this statement today in reaction to a security assessmentof the vulnerabilities of a completed northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline. The report, released by NextGen Climate, and reported by Reuters, says the pipeline could be vulnerable to attacks that could cause heavy crude to be spilled into the environment.

“This independent assessment of the Keystone XL pipeline’s security vulnerabilities is yet another reminder of the significant risks this project poses to our nation and our environment,” said Grijalva. “The startling lack of security around key segments of the pipeline could allow for a deliberate sabotage of the pipe, which could create the equivalent of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in the middle of the American Heartland – but with a slurry of highly toxic bitumen and other hazardous chemicals entering our environment.”

“This assessment warrants further examination, and I call on the Department of State’s Inspector General to audit the National Interest Assessment process to determine if the risk of sabotage, or the environmental risks posed by sabotage were taken into account and given appropriate consideration. We’re talking about pumping millions of barrels of highly toxic sludge through our communities and our farmland. Our decision makers cannot afford to be so cavalier when it comes to our security and our environment.”

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