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Keystone rejection draws opposing views

keystone-xl.com

Some members of Western New York's congressional delegation are split over President Barack Obama's recent rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline application.

Rep. Chris Collins says he is disappointed in Obama's rejection of the Keystone pipeline application. Collins, a Clarence Republican, says the pipeline would have created thousands of construction jobs which could have helped Western New York.

"Anything that spurs the creation of jobs and an economic boost to the economy is good for America and there's a trickle down regardless of what community your in when the economy's doing better," Collins said. 

Rep. Brian Higgins says there's been a lot of discussion over the years about the pipeline and it's time to move on. Higgins, a South Buffalo Democrat, says he doesn't think any one issue led to its rejection.

"I think it's death by a thousand cuts and I think that when you look at the totality of the program, where it was originating from, where that oil would go, I think that the best decision was made relative to the environment, relative to going back and developing alternative energy sources," Higgins said.  

With Solar City's factory nearing completion along South Park Avenue, Higgins says Buffalo has a vested interest in Washington spending resources on alternative energy.