In a letter sent to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson urged the State Department to extend the public comment period for the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline would carry Canadian oil to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.

Johnson points out – an extension of the comment period is necessary to provide greater opportunity for input from farmers and ranchers, many of whom are currently busy with spring planting. Opportunity should also be provided for public hearings along the proposed route to allow for input from impacted communities.

NFU policy opposes any infrastructure or resource development that jeopardizes the health, safety and quality of the Ogallala and other freshwater aquifer resources.