U.S. Congressman Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12) today voted in favor of H.R. 3, legislation to immediately authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The House passed the measure with a bipartisan vote of 266-153, marking the 10th time the House has voted to approve the project. Upon voting in favor of the legislation, Congressman Allen released the following statement:
“The Keystone XL pipeline is a shovel-ready project that will create tens of thousands of jobs, strengthen America’s energy security, and generate billions in revenue to boost economic growth,” said Congressman Allen. “Today’s vote represents another effort by Congress to move forward on its construction, which will get Americans back to work and help revitalize our ailing economy. The President has stalled the Keystone pipeline for far too long, and it’s long past time he stop standing in the way of the good-paying jobs and enhanced energy resources this project will unleash for our country. I urge the President to finally work with Congress to approve this bipartisan, job-creating initiative. The American people agree it’s time to build.”
The Keystone XL pipeline would move 830,000 barrels of oil per day from the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, and U.S. crude from the Bakken oil fields being developed in North Dakota and Montana. The project is estimated to support approximately 42,000 jobs in the construction phase and yield $2 billion in earnings throughout the United States, while also reducing oil imports from the Middle East. The project has been under review for more than six years, with five favorable environmental reports completed to date.
