Huntsville, AL – Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) made the following statement following the Obama Administration’s decision not to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline Project.
“The Keystone XL Pipeline is critical to America’s energy needs. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Keystone XL Pipeline could transport up to 830,000 barrels of Canadian oil per day. To put it in perspective, 830,000 barrels of Canadian oil per day could eliminate U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil. The foreign policy implications of Middle Eastern oil dependence are enormous.
“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, America’s national security is paramount in my thoughts. We have a choice. We can either continue to import oil from the Middle East, a very volatile region with enormous shipping risks, or we can import oil from a century-long ally, trade partner, and neighbor that has almost no transportation risk. The choice is a no-brainer. Importing oil from Canada is far better for America than importing oil from the Middle East.
“H.R. 1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act, sought to compel approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline. I supported and voted for it wholeheartedly. According to House Democrats in a letter last year to President Obama, the Keystone energy project could mean 20,000 direct jobs and spur the creation of 118,000 spin-off jobs. President Obama’s decision, if maintained, means the loss of over 100,000 badly needed jobs that can help spur America’s economic growth.
“I pray President Obama will reverse his decision and approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. Time is wasting. Now that President Obama has removed America from the playing field, China seeks to purchase Canada’s oil. If China successfully negotiates a contract with Canada for this oil, that oil supply may be lost for America forever, thereby reducing America to further decades of dependence on Middle Eastern oil with all the foreign policy implications and security risks that implies.”
The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline Project would be a 1,661-mile pipeline for crude oil, supplying the United States from Canada. It was slated to begin operating in 2013.
