WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today released the following statement after TransCanada announced it would begin construction on the southern segment of the Keystone XL pipeline.
“A transnational pipeline is essential to bringing much-needed oil to our refineries, but unfortunately, presidential politics has put the majority of this project on hold. With political tensions escalating in Iran, we need Canada’s oil more than ever. Access to this secure energy source will increase our energy security and help to stabilize gas prices.
“I am pleased to see TransCanada is moving forward, but remain deeply disappointed that construction of the full pipeline has not been approved after more than three years of stringent environmental review. Since President Obama has proved unwilling to make a decision on the permit for this project, we have passed legislation to take that decision out of his hands. The House has now voted three times to end the president’s delay, and we will continue to fight to see that the permit is approved and the pipeline is built."
