“The Administration’s denial of the 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline to transport Canadian oil to refineries in the U.S. is a huge loss to the national economy, and especially to Texas. Many refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast have been configured to process this now-abundant oil from the tar sands of Canada.
“The Administration’s claim that Congress forced a premature decision is without merit. The project has been under review by federal agencies for several years, and the route and design of the Keystone pipeline has been scrupulously planned to minimize any environmental risks. With massive, enduring economic benefits and minute risks, the Keystone pipeline is a genuinely shovel-ready project that would create tens of thousands of jobs in several states. In stark contrast to the false promise of Solyndra-like green jobs created by billions of taxpayer dollars, private investment would create the Keystone jobs, adding rather than subtracting from taxpayer’s pockets.
“After 40 years of dependence on imports from countries hostile to U.S. interests, North America stands on the verge of becoming a net exporter of oil. The Administration’s denial of the Keystone pipeline stymies this achievement, and is a blow to the still-fragile economy.”
Kathleen Hartnett White is director of the Armstrong Center for Energy and Environment at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She was commissioner and chairman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality from 2001 to 2007.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit, free-market research institute based in Austin.
Primary website: www.TexasPolicy.com Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/TexasPublicPolicyFoundation Twitter feed: www.Twitter.com/TPPF
– 30 –