U.S. Chamber’s Energy Institute to Kick Off “Keystone XL Pipeline Lost Opportunity Tour” Monday
Tour Will Bring Attention to Local Voices Along the Keystone XL Pipeline Route
WASHINGTON, D.C.—After six years, communities along the Keystone XL pipeline route are still waiting for the jobs, opportunities, and revenue that the pipeline will bring. Now, to help share their stories and build support for the Keystone XL pipeline, the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy will be touring the pipeline route next week.
The “Keystone XL Pipeline Lost Opportunity Tour” will start on Monday, September 15th at the Canada/Montana border and end on Friday, September 19th—the sixth anniversary of TransCanada’s first application to build the pipeline—at what would be Keystone XL’s connection point near the Nebraska/Kansas border.
“For six long years, the Obama administration has failed to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. “Our tour will demonstrate that there are consequences for this inaction. Not only has America been forced to buy millions of barrels of oil from unfriendly sources, but Americans along the pipeline route and across the nation have been denied thousands of jobs, millions in revenue, and countless opportunities.”
The tour will visit the cities, towns, ranches, and businesses near the pipeline that will benefit from the construction and continued operation of the pipeline. The Energy Institute and the Chamber will be telling their stories on the web, on social media, and through digital advertising across the nation.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the people and seeing the places that would see real improvements from Keystone if the administration allows it to be built,” said Matt Koch, an Energy Institute vice president who will be on the Tour. “While for some, the Keystone XL pipeline has been a symbolic policy fight, it is important to remember that there are real people who have been waiting for six years for the opportunities that will come with the pipeline. Our Tour will introduce those voices to the nation and help build even more support for the Keystone XL pipeline, which the vast majority of Americans want to see built.”
Koch, Chamber representatives and local voices will be available for media interviews throughout the tour. To schedule an interview, contact Matt Letourneau at 202-463-5945 or mletourneau@uschamber.com.
Detailed information about the first Lost Opportunity Tour stops will be available later this week.
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.