From governors, to presidential candidates, to oil workers, outrage is growing over President Obama's decision to reject the 1,700-mile XL Keystone pipeline, which would transport oil from Canada to Texas refineries.

Critics say he's putting politics ahead of energy independence and job creation.

"I'm extremely disappointed in the president's decision to basically wipe out the potential of 250,000 jobs in America by denying the Keystone Pipeline permit," Gov. Mary Fallin, R-Okla., said.

"Yesterday's decision on the XL Keystone pipeline is so stunningly irrational that it's really worth your thinking about," former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said.

Danny Hendrix with Tulsa's Pipeliners Union said the president was essentially sending the nation's wealth overseas.

"We're transferring the wealth out of this country by buying OPEC oil," he charged. "When we buy oil from OPEC, we get a barrel of oil and we get a barrel of problems."

The president's decision was based on concerns that the pipeline would lead to contamination and other environmental concerns.

He also said he turned down the plans because Congress did not give him enough time to review them. But the project has already been under review for three years.