Graves to Kerry: Keystone Pipeline is Job Creator, Should be Approved
WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the U.S. State Department's public comment period on the Keystone XL pipeline project, Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) is urging Secretary of State John F. Kerry "to proceed with an official determination that building the Keystone XL Pipeline would serve the national interest." Graves wrote to Kerry during the open comment period, which ends today and follows the release of the State Department's fifth and final environmental impact statement on the project. That study found that the Keystone pipeline would have no significant environmental impact. A Pew Research poll conducted last fall found that 65 percent of Americans support the pipeline project.
"Only in Washington would a project to create over 42,000 jobs and reduce our dependence on Middle Eastern oil fail to be approved rapidly," said Congressman Graves. "It's time to cut the red tape and eliminate roadblocks that prevent its construction. The State Department should give the go-ahead to the project, so that the president has no further excuses for delaying a decision."
Congressman Graves, a strong supporter on the Keystone project, voted in favor of legislation last spring to allow for the issuance of all relevant permits necessary for construction of the pipeline. This action was taken after President Obama continued his refusal to make a decision regarding Keystone.
Additionally, the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade held a hearing last May on the beneficial economic impact building the pipeline would have on small businesses and rural communities, including enhancing our nation's energy security and potentially lowering energy prices for consumers. Congressman Graves is Chairman of the Small Business Committee.
The text of the letter follows.
Dear Secretary Kerry:
Over the last several years, I have heard increasing concerns from families and small businesses in my congressional district regarding rising gas prices. It is time for the United States to expand its development of oil. I write to communicate my constituents' concerns and express my strong support for building the Keystone XL Pipeline.
As you know, rising gas prices are hurting families and small businesses at a time when our economy is already struggling to create new jobs. The Keystone XL Pipeline will expand the system and create as many as 42,000 new U.S. jobs during construction alone. In fact, the pipeline is expected to contribute $775 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2035.
Equally important, the Keystone XL Pipeline would strengthen our nation's energy security. It would carry up to 830,000 barrels of North American oil – double what we currently import from the Persian Gulf. In combination with other resources, the pipeline could help the U.S. independently meet all of its energy needs.
The President continues to delay making a decision on this shovel-ready project, which would create tens of thousands of American jobs and bring millions of barrels of secure oil to U.S. refineries. For these reasons, I strongly encourage the U.S. Department of State to proceed with an official determination that building the Keystone XL Pipeline would serve the national interest.
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