New Hampshire Seeks Environmental Review Before Authorization of Tar Sands Pipeline

New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry April 22 to conduct an environmental review and permitting process before allowing any existing pipelines to transport diluted bitumen oil, or “tar sands oil,” through her state.

In her letter, Hassan asked the State Department to require a new presidential permit and to conduct an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act should an energy company seek to reverse the direction and contents of two existing pipelines.

Hassan argued a 2008 plan from the Portland Pipe Line Corp. to convert existing pipeline infrastructure from ...