Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, who’s been something less than an environmental crusader to date, has announced that he’ll investigate the Exxon Mobil pipeline spill that drenched a Mayflower neighborhood with thousands of barrels of heavy Canadian crude oil.

His release follows on the jump.

Advertisement

IN THE NEWS: Arkansas spill featured last night on MSNBC.

  • IN THE NEWS: Arkansas spill featured last night on MSNBC.

Meanwhile: I’m trying to get a statement from U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, who represents Mayflower and who’s the leading advocate for Keystone XL pipeline construction, on whether the episode lends any credence to those who’ve called for a full environmental review of the Keystone project. Griffin wants to fast-track the project. It’s getting increasing attention in the Mayflower spill, such as here, in a report that Exxon can’t say when it can begin evaluating the Arkansas break and when repairs can be made. Also, the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation and others have scheduled press conference this afternoon to use the Mayflower spill as ammo in the Keystone fight.

Advertisement

Griffin hurried up to the scene of the spill Friday night to show his concern. So far, unfortunately, I haven’t seen any photos of him similar to that that showed another energy industry cheerleader, Sen. Jason Rapert, amid the lake of oil that can be an unwanted byproduct of the rush to exploit mineral resources. But he’s been silent on Twitter since about the episode. Chris Hayes, host of “All In with Chris Hayes” on MSNBC, did an extensive report on the Mayflower spill last night. He put it in the context of Griffin’s pending legislation to push Keystone construction. Griffin was mentioned prominently and Hayes said he planned to ask Griffin to appear on the show. No word if that’s going to happen.