US bill would set time limit on pipeline approvals

Four senators introduced a bill this Tuesday that would set a time limit on the government’s consideration of cross-border oil pipelines such as Keystone XL and remove the President’s role in the process.

The senators said the bill came from their frustrations over President Obama’s consideration of Keystone, whose developer applied for a permit almost six years ago.

Keystone itself would not be subject to the bill’s provision, nor would any pipeline with a pending permit request.

“Energy infrastructure projects are too important to our economy and our national security to be dragged out, virtually for years in the case of the Keystone XL pipeline,” Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), one of the sponsors, said in a statement.

“We need a process that is fact-based and transparent, a process that looks out for the interests of the American people now and into the future,” he said.

“It is important to strike a balance between adopting regulations that are necessary to protect our environment and managing the adverse economic impact these regulations have on investment and growth,” said Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), another sponsor.

Sens. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) were the other sponsors.

Edited from various sources by Elizabeth Corner

Sources: The Hill, Inside Climate News

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