Senate Republicans laud Trump administration approval of Keystone XL pipeline

U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) praised the Trump administration’s issuing of a presidential permit that approves the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a project expected to contribute about $3.4 billion to U.S. gross domestic product.

The Keystone XL pipeline will move 800,000 barrels of oil each day from western Canada to Steele City, Nebraska, and then further on to Gulf Coast refineries. Construction of the long-delayed pipeline by TransCanada is expected to support 42,100 jobs across the United States for up to two years, and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, the White House said.

“After being delayed for nearly a decade, we welcome the Trump administration’s approval of the permit to build the Keystone XL Pipeline,” Hoeven said. “This project is not only about energy, but also job creation, economic growth and making America more secure by reducing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline is a clear signal that our nation is once again open for business and that we are committed to building the infrastructure we need now and in the future.”

Hoeven had introduced legislation in the 114th Congress that would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline on constitutional grounds. The measure cleared the Senate and House, but former President Barack Obama vetoed it. The Obama administration had delayed the pipeline project over environmental concerns for more than 7 years.

Ernst said Keystone XL would create good jobs for the middle class while helping the nation gain more energy independent by reducing reliance on Middle Eastern sources of oil.

“It is important that we continue to update and improve our nation’s energy infrastructure to support and promote economic growth and job creation,” Ernst said. “I applaud the Trump administration’s commitment to moving forward with this project that has been unnecessarily politicized, and to get our country moving again.”

In approving construction of Keystone XL, Wicker said, Trump kept his promise to prioritize the nation’s interests and the jobs that the project will support.

“This approval is long overdue,” Wicker said. “I am pleased that the new administration has acted so quickly to move this plan forward.”