ND Dem wants another look at oil pipeline denial

North Dakota Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp wants President Barack Obama to reconsider his decision to block construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The pipeline would carry oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries. Heitkamp says it would help North Dakota's efforts to export its own oil production.

Heitkamp says she's not trying to distance herself from Obama in supporting the pipeline. She says building it is good policy. Heitkamp says it would help keep fuel prices down and reduce dependence on oil from overseas.

Heitkamp says the State Department has had years to review the project.

She says she's sending a letter to the president Friday asking him to reconsider his decision.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)