This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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In a latest development, the U.S. State department has confirmed to have rejected a plea filed by several environment groups asking to halt the review of Keystone XL pipeline, while denying any allegation of conflict of interest. Allegations laid last week by Friends of the Earth purported that London-based firm, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), which was hired by state department to assess the impact of the pipeline, is in conflict of interest with Keystone’s owner TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. and other oil companies.
The group had requested the State Department to immediately suspend its assessment of the project and launch an elaborative investigation into the allegations. However, in an email addressed by department spokesperson, Jen Psaki, it was mentioned that “our rigorous conflict of interest procedures ensure that no contractors or subcontractors have financial or other interests in the outcome of a project.” Although Psaki refrained from directly discussing the allegations made by Friends of the Earth, she mentioned in an assured and unambiguous manner that the state department is completely sure that the process is free of conflict.
In her email, Psaki stated that “the contractor certifies that it has not had, and does not have, any direct contracts with the applicant.” It was added that “the contractor is not permitted to communicate with the applicant unless specifically directed to do so by department officials.” TransCanada has repeatedly alleged that the controversial contract was signed between ERM and ExxonMobil, insisting that TransCanada did not have any role in it.
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