Isakson, Perdue Co-sponsor Bipartisan Legislation to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline in New Congress

Statement

U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., co-sponsored legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, highlighting the importance of the project to secure America's energy future, improve national defense and create tens of thousands of jobs for Americans.

"As the new majority, Republicans' first action in the Senate will be approving the bipartisan, job-creating Keystone XL pipeline," Sens. Isakson and Perdue said in a joint statement. "The American people are still struggling in today's economy, and they expect and deserve Washington to cut red tape and unleash America's energy resources, which will create American jobs, ensure America's energy security and reinforce relations with our largest trading partner. Building the Keystone XL pipeline is an important step toward meeting these goals.

"We've had six years of missed opportunities for the Senate, under Democratic control, to take up legislation that addresses Americans' priorities. It's time we start putting America's issues on the president's desk. We urge the president to reconsider his threat to veto the bipartisan, job-creating Keystone XL pipeline and to finally take the opportunity to work with Congress to find solutions the American people want."‎

Background:

The $7 billion, 1,700-mile, high-tech Keystone XL pipeline will carry 830,000 barrels of oil a day to U.S. refineries, including oil from Alberta, Canada, in addition to 100,000 barrels per day of light, sweet crude from the U.S. Bakken region in North Dakota and Montana. During the construction phase, the project would create up to 42,000 jobs, directly and indirectly, according to the U.S. State Department.

S.1 was introduced by U.S. Senators John Hoeven, R-N.D., Tuesday, and is co-sponsored by all other Republican senators in addition to six Democrats. The legislation authorizes TransCanada to construct and operate the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, to the U.S. Gulf Coast under Congress's authority enumerated in the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 8. Upon passage, a presidential permit would no longer be needed to approve the project.

The Keystone XL pipeline project has been under review for more than six years, with five environmental reports completed to date.

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