Delegation Urges Biden To Change Keystone Decision
Montana’s congressional delegation continues to urge President Joe Biden to reverse his decision on canceling the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., have introduced legislation to authorize continued construction of the pipeline.
“Americans are already struggling to make ends meet and keep food on the table because of the pandemic. Yet with the stroke of a pen, President Biden killed thousands of energy and union jobs, eliminated tax revenue for impoverished communities, raised energy costs for Americans, and put our national security and energy independence at risk,” Daines said. “We must reverse Biden’s disastrous decision and send a clear message that supporting American workers is more important than supporting Saudi Arabia and allowing radical environmentalists to cash in on campaign promises.”
Rosendale said, “I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the ‘Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Act’ in the House of Representatives, which reauthorizes the Keystone XL Pipeline that President Biden canceled on his first day in office. I want to thank Sen. Daines for his leadership on this issue in the Senate. This executive order has really hurt Montana. During this time of economic uncertainty, ending American jobs and energy independence should not be President Biden’s top priority. The Keystone XL Pipeline provides good, high paying jobs and is a source of added revenue for our rural communities.”
Proponents say the project is expected to provide approximately 11,000 direct high-paying jobs and up to 60,000 indirect and direct jobs, generate tax revenue, increase renewable-energy demand, reduce emissions and strengthen North American energy independence.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., urges Biden to sit down with stakeholders - including Montana’s Tribes - to chart a path forward on the job-creating project together.
“I am writing to encourage you to reconsider your decision to cancel the presidential permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline,” Tester wrote. “This project has the potential to support thousands of good paying jobs, increase tax revenue into local communities, and support a safer, more efficient alternative to transporting fossil fuel by truck or railroad. The completion of the Keystone XL Pipeline would be a powerful economic driver for Montana. I continue to support this project as long it is built to the highest safety standards, uses American steel, respects private property rights and includes robust consultation with tribes.”
Tester has consistently called on TC Energy to ensure the project is held to the highest safety standards, and has facilitated discussions with Montana’s tribes regarding their concerns with the current route and related community safety and water quality concerns.
“With a straightforward conversation and commonsense safeguards, I believe we can make adjustments to the proposed project that will provide even stronger protections for people and clean water, while still supporting jobs and economic development along the pipeline route,” Tester noted. “I stand ready to help facilitate these conversations, and look forward to working with you to safely secure a significant investment in Montana’s economy.”
Fort Peck Tribal Chairman Floyd Azure said he’s disappointed in Montana delegation’s support of the pipeline. “Basically, Native Americans have given more than any immigrants,” Azure said. “The more we give, they more they want.”
It upsets him that some of the pipeline work was planned to go on historical and religious areas for Native Americans.
“To destroy them is wrong. It’s like going to somebody’s church and destroying it,” Azure said.
Azure said his largest concerns were possible contamination of both the Milk and Missouri rivers. He noted that these are the last water resources in this region. “I have 30,000 people I have to worry about and whether they will get water,” Azure noted.
He noted, “They have never come to me to explain how they will clean it up and how they will supply water when it falters.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced that he was one of 14 attorneys general calling on Biden to reconsider his decision regarding the pipeline.
“Your decision will result in devastating damage to many of our states and local communities. Even those states outside the path of the Keystone XL pipeline — indeed all Americans — will suffer serious, detrimental consequences,” Knudsen led the attorneys general in writing to Biden. “In Montana for instance, killing Keystone XL will likely cost the state approximately $58 million in annual tax revenue. Montana will lose the benefits of future easements and leases, and several local counties will lose their single- biggest property taxpayer. The loss of Keystone XL’s economic activity and tax revenues are especially devastating as five of the six impacted counties are designated high-poverty areas.”
Knudsen criticized Biden for failing to consult the State of Montana on the costs to consumers and economic impacts.
“Please be aware that the states are reviewing available legal options to protect our residents and sovereign interests. In the meantime, we urge you to reconsider your decision to impose crippling economic injuries on states, communities, families, and workers across the country,” Knudsen and the attorneys general wrote.
