Congressman Tim Ryan Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline Vote

Statement

Congressman Tim Ryan voted today against legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 5682).

"First and foremost, I have significant concerns with the environmental, safety, economic and trade issues associated with this proposed project. The Keystone Pipeline will carry up to 830,000 barrels of Canadian tar sands oil across the United States to the Gulf Coast to be refined and sold to the global market. The Canadian economy and TransCanada Corp. will see almost all the benefits, while the United States takes on all the risk. Tar sands oil is the dirtiest, most toxic and environmentally dangerous fossil fuel in the world. The existing portion of the pipeline has already suffered 12 spills in its first 12 months of operation, more spills than any other first year pipeline in American history. There is no doubt it is poisoning American lands and aquifers.

"Furthermore, over fifty percent of the steel being used is produced by foreign companies. The Keystone Pipeline is not going to lower gas prices and it will not create jobs in Ohio. This legislation, in particular, includes a regulatory loophole that exempts TransCanada Corp. from any oil spill clean-up efforts or costs -- putting the burden solely on the backs of the American tax-payer. After careful review I do not believe that the creation of this Keystone Pipeline is in the best interest of the people of Ohio or our nation.

"If we want to reinvigorate American Manufacturing then we must focus on shifting to cleaner, alternative energies and increasing our Liquefied Natural Gas exports to our allies around the world."

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