Having Led the Battle for Keystone XL Pipeline Approval, Mack Urges Colleagues of Both Parties to Override Obama's Stonewalling

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Frustrated with President Obama's political delays on the Keystone XL pipeline, Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Congressman Connie Mack (Fl-14) who conducted the first Congressional hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline project, urged colleagues today to support immediate passage of a measure that would allow the building of the Keystone XL Pipeline to commence.

"With bi-partisan, private sector and labor support for the Keystone XL Pipeline as an immediate, private-funded project that will create over 20,000 jobs, it's appalling that President Obama continues to delay its approval because of his re-election politics.  After multiple Congressional hearings and three environmental studies, the President has no standing to delay this pipeline.  The Keystone XL Pipeline will increase oil production in our hemisphere by close to 800,000 additional barrels per day with our Canadian allies, diminishing America's need to purchase oil from foreign adversaries like Hugo Chavez."   

In the past year, Chairman Mack:

• Authored a letter in support of the Keystone XL Pipeline with 29 other Members of Congress (February 10th).
• Held the first Congressional hearing on Keystone XL on March 31st – highlighting how America can stop purchasing oil from Hugo Chavez by building the pipeline and the impact on job creation. 
• Passed an amendment to the Foreign Affairs Authorization legislation on July 20th demanding immediate approval of the project by the Secretary of State. The measure passed in a bipartisan 30-14 vote.
• Authored a letter to President Obama, co-signed by 56 other Members of Congress, on November 16th, urging the President to reconsider his decision to further delay the Keystone XL project.

A copy of Chairman Mack's most recent letter is below:

November 16, 2011
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our deep frustration over news that a decision on the Keystone XL Project will be further delayed until after next year's presidential election. The decision by Nebraska's legislature to vote on this project without any delay shows the American people's resolve to create jobs and ensure our energy security. We ask you to take action before the end of the year in line with the Department of State's longstanding public timeline.

As you know, the permit application for the Keystone XL Project was submitted over three years ago, in September of 2008. Since then, this pipeline has undergone three stages of public environmental impact studies (draft, supplemental, and final) as well as detailed, public economic and national security reviews by myriad academics, consultants, and experts. The Keystone XL Project's unusually protracted permit application process has allowed ample time and opportunity for public debates and investigations. Any further delay in this process will only be viewed as placing political gain over the U.S. economy and security.

Satisfying America's future energy needs will require a willingness to commit to a variety of resources and technologies. Natural disasters and volatile political climates in places like the Middle East and Venezuela mean the global oil supply will remain susceptible to disruption with potentially severe impacts on the global economy and our national security.  Canadian oil, combined with domestic fossil fuels and alternative energy innovations, will go a long way toward determining our country's energy security. Construction of the pipeline will create thousands of jobs and inject millions of dollars into local economies. While the Keystone XL Project cannot solve America's energy crisis alone, it is a necessary step for the U.S. economy, U.S. national security and U.S energy needs.

Mr. President, the American people should not have to watch this job creating project fail because of partisan concerns; our national security and economy are too important. The time to make a decision is now.

Respectfully,

SOURCE Office of Congressman Connie Mack