U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) led a GOP contingent of his colleagues from rural, energy-producing states who think it is critical that the Biden administration support the completion and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
“Over the years you have spoken about the importance of keeping Americans working, supporting private-sector investment in new energy infrastructure that will help reduce emissions, and strengthening North American economic and energy security,” wrote Sen. Daines and the four lawmakers in a Jan. 19 letter sent to President Joe Biden. “All of this can be achieved by the completion and operation of the Keystone XL pipeline.”
U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), John Barrasso (R-WY), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Sen. Daines in signing the letter, and noted that the proposed Keystone XL has undergone extensive environmental and safety studies that have been verified, tested and approved by the courts and independent groups.
“That proposal is now a real infrastructure project that is already under construction and employing more than 1,500 workers,” wrote Sen. Daines and his colleagues.
Additionally, the project is projected to provide approximately 11,000 jobs by 2021, many of these jobs being unionized positions, they wrote. The pipeline project also is expected to provide up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs, while generating tax revenue, increasing renewable-energy demand, reducing emissions, and strengthening North American energy independence, according to the senators’ letter.
“During the campaign, you challenged America to “Build Back Better” by investing in new infrastructure and energy technologies, creating high-paying blue-collar jobs, and preparing for the energy mix of the future,” Sen. Daines and his colleagues wrote. “With these and other commitments, Keystone XL meets that important test. We have to come together to find a way forward, to keep people working, while also creating a new standard for American energy infrastructure.”