WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Lee Terry (R-NE) today met with Alberta Premier Alison Redford and Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to discuss efforts to maximize the benefits of North America’s energy abundance, including efforts by the committee to facilitate the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and other cross-border energy projects. Canada is a close ally of the United States as well as its largest trading partner and number one crude oil supplier. Terry’s Northern Route Approval Act and Upton’s North American Energy Infrastructure Act are commonsense solutions that seek to strengthen U.S. ties with Canada by bringing certainty to infrastructure projects that will contribute to energy security, economic growth, and job creation on both sides of the border.
“We had a productive meeting with Premier Redford today about ways we can safely and responsibly maximize North America’s energy abundance," said Upton. “Beyond just the Keystone XL pipeline, we are going to need to build many more pipelines, transmission lines, and private sector infrastructure projects as part of the architecture of abundance to keep up with the remarkable pace of U.S. and Canadian energy production. We are moving forward with solutions to accelerate these job-creating projects which could help make North American energy independence a reality."
“I appreciated Premier Redford taking the time out of her busy schedule to meet with me about the Keystone XL pipeline. It is clear that we all share the belief that this project is a benefit to those on both sides of the border and it is critical that it is built quickly," said Terry. “She acknowledged the work of the House and I reaffirmed our commitment to continue to look at all avenues to build the Keystone XL pipeline that will create jobs on both sides of the border, make North America energy secure and strengthen our trade relationship with America’s number one trading partner."
“I was pleased to meet with Chairmen Upton and Terry, as well as Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer, to discuss how we can work together to maximize the economic and security benefits of growing North American energy production while achieving leadership in environmentally responsible development," said Redford.
