Local Business Owners Applaud Gov. Heineman’s Approval of Keystone XL Pipeline Route

After Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announced this week that he has approved a new route for the Keystone XL pipeline, momentum continues to build across the country for its approval. Members of the Partnership to Fuel America business network are applauding the Governor’s announcement and urging the administration to move forward with approving the pipeline. 

 

The Partnership to Fuel America is an initiative of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. It is comprised of American businesses and industries that understand that the United States needs more energy to fuel our economy and that Canada’s resources can help us achieve that goal. The Partnership promotes the benefits of Canadian oil sands and supports investment in critical North American energy projects.

 

 

 

Brandon Bullard, executive director of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce: “I was very pleased to hear there was finally some good news and progress out of Nebraska regarding the Keystone XL pipeline. I have been very impressed with the way Nebraskan’s concerns have been addressed by TransCanada and Gov. Heineman’s approval of the new route should be a sign to federal officials that this project is safe and that now is the time to move forward.” 

 

 

Pat Kiely, president and CEO, Indiana Manufacturers Association: “To ensure our energy security and reduce volatility in our energy markets, we must reduce our energy imports from unstable regions and instead develop more North American resources.  The Keystone XL pipeline project is a great example of a sensible project that would be both secure and economically stimulating for our country and benefit Hoosier businesses.” 

 

 

Joe Allen, owner, Trust Plumbing (Lansing): “I applaud the leadership Governor Heineman has shown in his decision to back the Keystone XL revised pipeline route.  This is a victory for the American economy and for our national security.  North American energy independence is the key to alleviating the heavy burden Americans share when heating their homes and fueling their vehicles, improving our economy and minimizing our dependence on the decisions of foreign dictators.  I encourage President Obama to seize this opportunity to improve and strengthen our country by approving the new Keystone pipeline route.”

 

Ben Shaft, president and CEO, The Mac Bench (Plymouth): “The revised Keystone pipeline route is a win-win for the American people.  It alleviates many of the environmental concerns by re-routing the pipeline around Nebraska Sand Hills and will be a lifeline of new energy reserves that will help improve our economy and limit our dependence on foreign oil.  Governor Heineman's support of the revised pipeline route was the right decision and was made with the best interests of the entire country in mind.  I support his leadership and encourage President Obama to follow his example.”

 

Cynthia Toll, owner, The Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Northville: “The Keystone pipeline offers far too many benefits to our country to stall this project any longer. Our dependence on foreign oil is a daily obstacle to ensuring national security, and rising gas prices hinders economic recovery and places an increasingly larger burden on average Americans.  I strongly support Governor Heineman's decision to approve the revised Keystone pipeline route and hope this critical project can be finished quickly.”

 

 

Greg Larson, owner of Larson’s Hardware Store in Redwood Falls: “As a small business owner I was pleased to hear that the Governor of Nebraska had approved the new Keystone XL route. The Keystone pipeline is an important project and one that will considerably increase America’s energy security. We need to start building this pipeline because it will benefit families and small businesses throughout the entire nation.” 

 

 

Janet Shulman, owner of The Caramel House: “As an entrepreneur, U.S.–Canadian energy resources resonate with me personally and professionally. Clearly, there are consequences to ignoring one of our closest and most reliable allies and I hope the recent support from Governor Heineman will help strengthen the relationship between the United States and Canada. After years of delay, environmental studies and rerouting the pipeline I hope to see this project move forward without further delay.” 

 

Tom Crawford, president of the Missouri Trucking Association: “The recent announcement of support from Governor Heineman of Nebraska is a clear signal that now is the time to build the Keystone Pipeline. For years, this project has been caught in Washington red-tape preventing thousands of shovel-ready jobs and delaying America’s efforts to break free from energy dependence from un-friendly and un-stable sources of energy. Given the recent support of Governor Heineman it is time to reverse that trend and get this project started.” 

 

 

Jim Vokal, executive director of the Platte Institute for Economic Research: “It’s great news to hear that Gov. Heineman has approved the pipeline route. This is an important step in the right direction and hopefully federal officials see this as a sign that it’s time to move forward with the project.” 

 

 

Dick Hedahl, owner of Hedahl’s Auto Plus: “I welcome Gov. Heineman’s approval of the pipeline route. The Keystone XL pipeline project is an essential piece of infrastructure that will allow the oil boom in North Dakota to continue to provide jobs and economic opportunity to thousands of people. I hope Gov. Heineman’s support will encourage federal officials to move forward with this important project.” 

 

 

Ben Snow, president of the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership: “Gov. Heineman’s approval of the new Keystone XL route is great news for South Dakota. Building this pipeline will create thousands of jobs for South Dakotans while generating millions in new revenue for our state. It is time for officials in Washington to approve this project so that South Dakota and the whole country can start reaping the benefits.” 

 

 

Scott Manley, vice president of Government Relations, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC): “The Keystone XL pipeline is a project that we need to start building, for our economy and for our energy security. For far too long this project has been held up by governmental red tape and partisan politics, but now that Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has approved the new route through his state, I am hopeful that the administration will get serious about building this pipeline.” 

 

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The Washington Post: “The issue is coming back, and the president has even less reason to nix the project than he did last time….After years of federal review, there was little question last year that construction of the pipeline, which would transport heavy, oil-like bitumen from Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico coast, should proceed. Thousands of miles of pipeline already crisscross this country. An environmental analysis had concluded that the risks of adding this new stretch were low. An economic review had found that Canada would get its bitumen to the world market — if not via pipeline to the gulf, then very likely by ship to China. Supply would make it to demand, one way or another.” (“Keystone XL is coming back,” The Washington Post editorial board, 1/23/13) 

 

 

The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.