Obama Again Fails Energy Independence for America

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Nov 25, 2011, 03:38 ET

Mack, Leads Delegation of 57 House Members Urging Obama To Reconsider Priorities on Energy, and Job Creation

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Urging President Obama to remove politics from a key decision that impacts U.S. jobs and national security, Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Connie Mack (FL-14) along with 56 other Members of the House, signed a letter recently demanding the President reconsider his decision to delay approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline until 2013. The letter acknowledges that American's are prioritizing job creation and energy security, Obama must follow suit.

Mack stated: "It is damaging to hard working Americans that, after a three year process of review and delays on the decision to construct a secondary pipeline from our ally Canada, President Obama has put this project on hold until after next year's election. Creating U.S. jobs and bringing security to the global economy cannot be placed on hold. An affirmative decision must be rendered without any further delays."

Below is text of a letter sent to President Obama:

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,

/s/_________________ /s/_________________ /s/_________________

CONNIE MACK DOUG LAMBORN TIM HOLDEN