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Rep. Kissell to introduce legislation to approve Keystone XL pipeline
Story Date: 2/8/2012
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 2/7/12
Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) is joining a bipartisan group of House members in introducing the Energizing America through Employment Act, legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline and allow construction to begin. The legislation mirrors the language of a bipartisan effort in the Senate to clarify language and close loopholes that have lead to delays in the project.
“This common sense bill would do what should have been done months ago—approve the Keystone XL pipeline and allow construction to begin, creating good jobs right here in America,” said Kissell. “The political games that have surrounded this debate have overwhelmed the very fact that this pipeline project has been found to be safe and would put Americans back to work right here on our soil. It’s so important that we move forward in this project, keeping this strong supply of oil from reaching China and using it to help power our economic recovery here at home.”
On August 26, 2011, the Department of State issued a final environmental impact statement finding that the Keystone project posed “no significant impact” to the environment, yet the White House denied the application citing further time needed to review the project. This legislation would consider the final environmental impact study as satisfactory approval, and would reaffirm Congress’ authority to approve the pipeline, given their Constitutional right to regulate commerce with foreign nations. The legislation would also protect individual state’s laws regarding private property and oil pipeline siting in consideration of the project.
“For far too long, our country has been saddled with rising oil prices due to everything from increased market speculation to political games from rogue nations like Venezuela and Iran,” added Kissell. “It’s beyond time that we use more of our own domestic supply of oil right here in North America, instead of shipping it overseas for these nations to turn around and sell it back to us at a higher cost. Our standing in the world relies on our ability to avoid depending on foreign oil and foreign powers. We can safely drill here in North America and use this project to help fuel our work to get this economy back on track.”
The Energizing America through Employment Act will be introduced in the House this week, with Kissell joining Rep. Connie Mack (R-FL), Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT), Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK) and a bipartisan group of cosponsors.
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