Roby Votes to Approve Keystone Pipeline

Press Release

U.S. Representative Martha Roby (R-AL) voted in favor of a measure meant to streamline the long-delayed Keystone Pipeline, a major energy project that could create tens of thousands of jobs and lower the cost of energy for American families.

Rep. Roby co-sponsored the bill, officially known as H.R. 3, The Northern Route Approval Act, and said she supports building the pipeline as part of a larger "all-of-the-above" energy strategy.

"American families experience the pain of high energy costs every time they fill up the tank or pay the power bill," Rep. Roby said. "At a time when energy costs are high and job creation low, now is the time to build this pipeline as part of an "all-of-the-above' energy approach. In addition to lowering costs and creating jobs, approving the Keystone Pipeline would also be a key step towards ensuring American energy independence."

The Northern Route Approval Act paves the way for the creation of the privately-financed Keystone Pipeline project by:

* Declaring that no Presidential permit shall be required for the pipeline application filed on May 4, 2012, by TransCanada Corporation;
* Addressing potential legal challenges by calling for an expedited judicial review in the event of legal challenges;
* Removing additional regulatory burdens that are likely to be caused by unnecessary environmental regulations.

Rep. Roby expressed disappointment at President Obama's foot-dragging on the Keystone Pipeline, saying delaying the project only hurts the economy and keeps energy costs high.

"President Obama has had more than 1,700 days to approve the permit for the Keystone Pipeline, yet he continues to delay when some 20,000 jobs hang in the balance," Rep. Roby said. "Since the President refuses to show leadership and act, a bi-partisan House majority has stepped up to offer a solution that could will help expand domestic energy production and create thousands of American jobs. It's difficult to understand how the President can campaign all over the country about job creation, when at the same time he's standing in the way of a project that could create tens of thousands of jobs."

Recent studies show that the Keystone Pipeline project would lead to the creation of approximately 20,000 jobs. Additionally, the Keystone Pipeline would carry as many as 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada and North Dakota to oil refineries on the Gulf Coast. More information on the economic impact of the project can be found here.

The Senate recently included a bi-partisan provision in their 2014 Budget Resolution that called for the approval of the Keystone Pipeline project. The proposal received support from 17 Democrats.

H.R. 3 was introduced by Representative Lee Terry (R-NE). The measure passed the House 241-175.

Source