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Legislation in works to speed up Keystone XL pipeline

World Pipelines,


North Dakota Senator John Hoeven (R), has explained that he and others are putting together legislation to set a deadline for the State Department's decision on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada's oilsands to refineries in Texas.

Without specifying the proposed legislation deadline, saying the final details are still being worked out, Hoeven noted the legislation would produce a faster timeline than the one outlined by the State Department, which has predicted that the matter will not be settled until 2013.

Hoeven has said he hopes to unveil the measure shortly. The House has previously passed legislation, authored by Nebraska Representative Lee Terry (R), which would have required a decision by 1 November. Other House Republicans, including Terry, are considering new legislation with a revised deadline.

Hoeven and colleagues, including Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns (R), gathered recently in the offices of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky.), to discuss the issue.

The pipeline has been described as a "huge job creator" and an "incredible opportunity" that would boost US energy independence, by Hoeven and his colleagues.

"We want to get this going as soon as we can," Hoeven said. "Deal with any issues and concerns, but get this going. Job one is creating jobs in this country, getting our people back to work, and also reducing our dependence on energy from parts of the world that are hostile to us."

As TransCanada has struck an agreement with Nebraska state officials to reroute the project around the Sand Hills, Johanns originally a vocal critic of Keystone XL’s path, said he is "very open" to legislation that would speed up the process, as long as it does not interfere with the ongoing state-level review.

"As long as we respect the state process, because they need six, seven months, I'm good with a decision at that point," Johanns said.

Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson (D), said he had communicated with Hoeven and understands the North Dakotan's concerns.

"But I think the process is going to work, and I don't think you need to force things to happen in terms of the time frame," Nelson said.

Nelson added he would back the legislation if it appears that the State Department is dragging its feet but said he would hate to pre-empt the state's environmental review process.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/30112011/legislation_in_works_to_speed_up_keystone_xl_pipeline/

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