WASHINGTON – Following President Biden’s executive order blocking construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) announced they will join Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and several western senators in introducing legislation to authorize the continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Other cosponsors of the legislation will include Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).
“This day one move to block the Keystone XL Pipeline is flat wrong,” said Risch.“The Keystone project is a linchpin of America’s energy independence and job creation strategy. Shutting it down leaves us dependent on the likes of OPEC and Russia to help power the country and undermines the pact we made with our northern ally, Canada, which remains supportive of the project. This is compounded by the reality that stopping construction terminates thousands of jobs in the middle of a pandemic, no less.”
“The proposed Keystone XL is a critical jobs-providing project that would also safely supply much-needed tax revenue to the states along its route,” said Crapo.“Moreover, the increase in the nation’s oil supply delivered by the Keystone pipeline will improve our nation’s energy security. This privately-funded project has already been delayed enough by continued partisan bickering in Washington, and I will continue to push for policies that bring energy costs down and further American energy independence.”
“It’s only day one, and with the stroke of a pen, Biden has already taken steps to kill American energy projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline which is critical to energy producing states like Montana,” Daines said. “This project will create thousands of jobs, generate tax revenue for local communities, promote North American energy security and independence, and it is the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport oil. We must do all that we can to ensure construction moves forward.”
Background:
When conducting an environmental review of the Keystone XL Pipeline, the Obama administration’s State Department found “no significant impact to the environment.” The Keystone XL Pipeline project is expected to provide some 11,000 direct high-paying jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs, generate tax revenue, increase renewable-energy demand, reduce emissions and strengthen North American energy independence.
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