Last weekend marked the 7th annual anniversary of the date that the Keystone XL pipeline permit application was submitted to the State Department.
Yes – seventh anniversary.
This delay is not only unprecedented, it is truly unfortunate for our nation and North America, and runs contrary to a majority of Americans who want Keystone XL built.
A recent poll commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute (API) clearly shows that the majority of Americans – 68% - still support building Keystone XL.
This comes as no surprise when you consider the tremendous benefits that the pipeline will bring to our country. Americans understand this, and it makes the delay even more unpopular and truly confounding.
Recall last year’s anniversary, when I traveled the entire Keystone XL pipeline route through Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska (the Lost Opportunities Tour) to talk to people about the pipeline. It was evident that the communities in those states understand the great long term job and economic opportunities that the pipeline would bring to them.
Yet, it is abundantly clear that the rest of America knows that the Keystone XL pipeline is good for all of our country. People agree that Keystone XL would strengthen America’s economic security by creating jobs in the U.S. and by keeping energy dollars in North America, and it will help maintain a stable supply of oil from North America to U.S. refineries.
A decision on the Keystone XL pipeline permit application is long overdue. According to the Administration’s own studies, at stake are 42,000 jobs, an estimated $3.4 billion in economic benefits, and a stable long-term supply of North American energy to fuel our country – with virtually no environmental impact or risk.
The API poll shows that 67% of Americans believe that the seven-year delay has hurt the U.S. economy and our energy security. It is time for the President to approve the permit application for the Keystone XL pipeline.