Upton: Time is now for Obama adminstration to act on Keystone Pipeline

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) decried the State Department’s recent announcement of placing the national interest determination period for the Keystone XL Pipeline on hold.

“The Obama administration has hit the pause button on jobs and affordable energy. All Keystone XL requires is a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but after over 2,000 days, the administration is still incapable of making a decision, putting politics ahead of jobs – not exactly a profile in courage,” Upton said. “By the day, international developments and unrest, from Ukraine to Nigeria to Venezuela, are putting the spotlight on energy security and the need for a stable North American energy supply. And rising energy prices here at home are putting a strain on household budgets, particularly for the country’s most vulnerable. Now more than ever, we are in desperate need of leadership and conviction. Punting on this decision is not the solution America wants or needs.”

Three phases of the Keystone Pipeline, which stretches from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin to refineries in the United States in Steele City, Nebraska; Wood River and Patoka, Illinois; and the Gulf Coast of Texas, are currently in operation, while the fourth awaits approval from the United States. The proposed system would cover 2,151 miles upon completion.

“The facts are clear that Keystone XL is in the national interest, but this administration is going to extraordinary lengths to block the landmark project,” Upton said. “A ‘yes’ on Keystone is long overdue. The House has done its part in passing legislation to approve this jobs and energy project. Now that the administration has put this project on hold indefinitely, the Senate must act to approve Keystone now.”