Congressman Andy Harris Responds To Keystone Pipeline

Dear .....

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding your support for the Keystone XL Pipeline. Especially during these difficult economic times and sky-rocketing energy prices, I remain committed to implementing policies that reduce our dependence on foreign oil while cutting energy costs for hard-working families. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me regarding this important issue.

              

We must address the high energy bills that American families and small businesses face. That is why I joined my colleagues in the House in passing H.R. 3, Keystone XL Pipeline Act on January 9, 2015 to authorize the construction of the pipeline. In the 113th Congress the House also passed H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which approves construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by removing the requirement for a Presidential Permit, granting the additional Federal permits required for the project, and limiting the legal challenges that can be brought regarding the pipeline's construction.

Keystone XL will be critical to improving American energy security and boosting our economy, especially in this difficult economic climate. As the US Department of State's Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) outlines, the project will support over 42,100 jobs during the construction phase and will generate over $5 billion in economic activity, including $2.05 billion in worker salaries. For local governments along the pipeline corridor, $65 million in tax revenue will help fund necessary infrastructure projects, education and medical services. Additionally, even these promising economic impacts do not take into account the significant benefits that American businesses and families, including Maryland's First Congressional District, will see thanks to an increase in safe, abundant supplies of crude oil to fuel the economy.

I believe that an "all-of-the-above" energy approach that includes more American produced oil, natural gas, coal and nuclear, is the key to securing affordable energy. This approach will lower energy prices, create new American jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, strengthen our national security and raise revenue. With recent discoveries of enormous natural gas reserves, we can reverse our dependence on foreign sources of energy and, in fact, become a significant energy exporter – supporting allies overseas that are currently dependent on Russian oil and gas. Please know that that I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind as energy policy is debated in upcoming legislation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to express your support for the Keystone XL pipeline. As the 114th Congress addresses the many challenges facing our nation, I hope you will continue to share your suggestions. For the fastest and most cost-effective response, please contact me via email. To keep up with my work in Congress, visit my website at harris.house.gov and sign up to receive updates at harris.house.gov/contact-me/newsletter.

Sincerely,

Andy Harris M.D.
Member of Congress