(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus applauded the news today that BNSF Railway will increase capacity to accommodate the boom in oil development in Montana's Bakken region. Baucus said the news is more evidence to support the need for the Keystone XL pipeline.

"Montana jobs rely on a smart energy infrastructure to get our fuels to market.  As we look for every way to support the opportunities presented by the Bakken energy boom, I'm pleased to see BNSF respond to the need for more capacity to support our homegrown energy," said Baucus, a strong supporter of the Keystone XL pipeline. "This news is further evidence that we cannot afford to continue to delay the Keystone pipeline and I'm going to continue fighting to move the project forward."

 Today, BSNF announced it will increase capacity to enable the railroad to haul one million barrels per day out of the Williston Basin in Montana and North Dakota.  Transportation infrastructure has been a cornerstone of Baucus' ongoing Call to Action in the Bakken to address increased pressure on communities related to the oil and gas boom in Eastern Montana.

MORE INFORMATION/ONLINE RESOURCES ON BAUCUS' CALL TO ACTION IN THE BAKKEN:

READ: Max's letter to President Obama: "Call to Action in the Bakken" online HERE

READ: What Montanans are saying about Baucus' call for an "all hands on deck" approach to economic development in the Bakken and read more online HERE.