NEWS

Noem, Robinson disagree on Keystone XL pipeline

Jonathan Ellis
jonellis@argusleader.com

If there's a place where being a supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline is a political liability, it wasn't the annual DakotaFest farm show on Tuesday.

Rep. Kristi Noem received the loudest applause of the day after voicing support for the pipeline during her debate with Democratic challenger Corinna Robinson. The controversial pipeline would transport Canadian crude oil to Gulf-state refiners. Part of the project would go through western South Dakota.

President Obama's administration has delayed the Keystone project, and Noem criticized the president's decision, arguing the project had been vetted for environmental concerns. She said Islamic terrorists in the Middle East were using oil revenues to fund activities against the nation's interest, and she said Canadian oil would be preferable.

"I think if there were ever a time to build a keystone pipeline it's right now," Noem said to cheers, whistles and clapping.

But Robinson said building the pipeline would be a long-term mistake. She emphasized the potential risks to water supplies from leaks. She predicted the refined oil would only get shipped to China, and she also downplayed the number of jobs the project would create, arguing they are temporary.

Instead of oil, Robinson said the country would be better off focusing on long-term energy sources such as wind, solar and ethanol.

"It's not going to be easy," she conceded. "It's going to take a lot of time and money."

Farmers and ranchers have a stake in the Keystone XL project, said Randy Miiller, who farms near Mount Vernon.

Miiller said trucks carrying oil from North Dakota are damaging roads in South Dakota. Meanwhile, the oil companies have been driving up the cost of rail for farmers. There is less rail capacity for farm products, and it's more expensive.

"Without the XL pipeline, to me it's a slow cancer to all the farmers," Miiller said. "It's going to kill us."

After the debate, Robinson said she wasn't surprised by the level of support for Keystone among the approximately 150 people who watched the debate.

"This is a very pro-Republican part of the state," she said.

It was the first time Noem and Robinson, a retired military officer, met in a debate. It was perhaps the most laid back debate of Noem's political career. In her first two races, she often went on the offensive to attack opponents, but Tuesday she barely acknowledged Robinson's presence. Instead, she attacked Senate Democrats for failing to take votes on 350 pieces of legislation passed by the Republican controlled House.

Robinson also did not attack Noem or her record directly. She was most at ease discussing fixes to the Department of Veterans Affairs and military defense. She also touted her role in government and the military, and she repeatedly said that South Dakota needs a House member who can work across the aisle.

Mike Hummel, a retired military officer supporting Robinson, said Robinson has the leadership skills to tear down partisan walls that have created gridlock in Washington.

"That's why I'm supporting her," Hummel said. "I know she can get the job done."

The two differed on other key issues: Noem said she prefers a repeal of the Affordable Care Act while Robinson supported the health overhaul. Noem criticized the Environmental Protection Agency, calling the agency a threat to "our way of life" for wanting to regulate water bodies on farm lands, while Robinson said the state should meet the EPA halfway, adapt to new standards and serve as a model.

Noem ended the day with the biggest laugh after recovering from a gaffe. She was describing a trip to the de-militarized zone between North and South Korea. As she lauded U.S. troops for keeping South Korea safe from a "crazy man" – a reference to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un – she said North Dakota instead of North Korea. She stopped, and said, "There might be a crazy man in North Dakota," before recovering.