API signs letter to Secretary of State urging approval of Keystone XL

The American Petroleum Institute and a coalition of associations have signed a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that the State Department immediately complete the Keystone XL Pipeline National Interest Determination (NID) process and grant final approval on the presidential cross-border permit. This comes after the API pushed for a full Senate vote on the pipeline project in June. Please find the letter to Secretary of State Kerry below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We write today to request the State Department immediately complete the Keystone XL Pipeline National Interest Determination (NID) process and grant the final approval on the presidential cross-border permit.

The Final Environmental Impact Statement released by the Department earlier this year found over 42 000 jobs would be created and US$ 3.4 billion in additional revenue to GDP would result in the building of this project, yet we continue to wait. Our labour community continues to face a stubborn unemployment rate that by far outpaces the national average, yet we continue to wait. Over 70% of Americans, including a majority of both Republicans and Democrats, support the building of this project and yet we continue to wait. The facts and benefits are clear; this project is in our national interest.

On 18 April 2014, the State Department once again delayed the final NID decision just days before the determination was scheduled to be completed – attributing this delay to a court decision currently under appeal in Nebraska. There is no reason for the president to delay issuing the cross-border permit due to a state appellate court proceeding. Keystone XL enjoys the support of the Nebraska governor and policymakers. Nebraska conducted a thorough route assessment. Furthermore, the State Department has found in all five environmental reviews that the project would not significantly impact the environment, including the various route options through Nebraska. The issue of our national interest will not be affected or changed by the outcome of the Nebraska decision.

The Keystone XL Pipeline has been studied longer than any pipeline project in US history. Since the initial permit application was filed in 2008, more than 10 000 miles of oil and natural gas pipeline have been built in the US; this is enough pipe to cross our country nearly four times. However, after nearly six years of studies showing no significant impacts – yet positive benefits to our energy and economic security – politics are still trumping good policy.

Presidential Executive Order 13337 grants 90 days for certain federal agencies to weigh in on the NID on a cross-border permit; those 90 days have now long passed. We once again request that the State Department grant the Keystone XL Pipeline permit and put our labor forces back to work this construction season.

Our organisations would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter further. We would be pleased to answer any questions you might have. We appreciate your attention and look forward to moving toward the decision to finally approve this vitally important energy infrastructure project.

Sincerely,

American Chemistry Council

American Concrete Pavement Association

American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association

American Council of Engineering Companies

American Exploration & Production Council

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

American Highway Users Alliance

American Iron and Steel Institute

American Petroleum Institute

American Rental Association

American Road & Transportation Builders Association

American Supply Association

American Trucking Association

Associated Equipment Distributors

Associated General Contractors of America

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Association of Oil Pipe Lines

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute

Consumer Energy Alliance

Distribution Contractors Association

Energy Equipment & Infrastructure Alliance

Independent Petroleum Association of America

Industrial Fasteners Institute

Industrial Minerals Association-North America

Institute for 21^st Century Energy

Institute of Makers of Explosives

Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation

National Asphalt Pavement Association

National Association of Manufacturers

National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

National Electrical Contractors Association

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association

National Utility Contractors Association

North America’s Building Trades Unions

North American Die Casting Association

Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association

Petroleum Marketers Association of America

Portland Cement Association

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council

SPI: The Plastic Industry Trade Association

Steel Manufacturers Association

US Oil & Gas Association

Western Energy Alliance

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/09072014/api_signs_letter_to_secretary_of_state_urging_approval_of_keystone_xl_617/