Dennis Daugaard on Environment

Invest $8 million to fight the mountain pine beetle

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been working. They have continued to be a good steward of our environment, making South Dakota only one of seven states in the nation to meet all federal air quality standards and one of only a few states implementing all National Primary Drinking Water Standards. Our air and water is clean.

Keystone XL Pipeline fundamental to economic prosperity.

Dear Mr. President,

We respectfully urge you to move forward on the Keystone XL Pipeline project. The energy relationship between the US and Canada is vital to the future of both our countries.

• Crucial to US energy security: With the pipeline, US imports from Canada could reach twice what is currently imported from the Persian Gulf.
• Thousands of jobs: The pipeline project is expected to create thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs and generate tax revenues in local economies along the pipeline route.
• Efficient and reliable: We are committed to responsible stewardship of our shared environment. Pipelines remain the most efficient method of transporting large volumes of crude oil, but we also recognize the need to take the measures necessary to protect the environment and public health and safety.