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Keystone XL pipeline means greater energy independence, more jobs

Washington, DC – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) continued his insistence that President Obama stop playing politics with America’s energy security and certify TransCanada’s application to build the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011, which passed in December with Congressman Guthrie’s support, included a provision that requires President Obama to make a final decision on the Keystone XL pipeline by February 21, 2012. 

The Keystone XL pipeline would transport oil from energy-rich regions in Canada into the United States and has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs while alleviating much of our dependence on unstable Middle Eastern nations for our energy supply.

“When I was elected to office in 2008, our country was within weeks of paying $4 a gallon for gas.  One of the constant issues I hear about from constituents is what is Congress doing to bring down gas prices.  If you want to create jobs, reduce the price at the pump and help the economy, Keystone is as good as it gets,” Congressman Guthrie said.  

The Keystone XL pipeline would have the capacity to bring 800,000 barrels of oil a day into the United States.  However, because the pipeline crosses one of our international borders, the President must certify that building this trans-continental pipeline is in the “national interest.”  

“President Obama has exhausted every option he has to delay this project.  Clearly, the White House doesn’t want to choose between favored sons—the labor groups who want to be go back to work and earn a living building this pipeline, and the environmentalists who are against any domestic energy production,” Congressman Guthrie said. “TransCanada and Nebraska have agreed to change the pipeline route to minimize and avoid local environmental risks, including rare or endangered species, habitat, significant water crossings, and historical and paleontological resources. After three years of delay from President Obama, there just isn’t a good reason left to object to this project.”

Congressman Guthrie has long supported energy independence.

“Since taking control of the House in 2011, Republicans have fought tooth-and-nail to get this pipeline built.  We passed H.R. 1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act, to get the White House to act; and we got the President to sign a bill this December that would require him to make a choice—yes or no—on Keystone XL.  With unemployment at 8.5 percent and gas prices continually on the rise, the choice between jobs and energy security or no jobs and more Middle Eastern oil should be an easy one.  I again implore President Obama to make the right choice.”