OHIO – United State Senator Rob Portman who attended the Inauguration and said that he wanted to work with the new administration is now calling Biden out on one of his first orders as President.
“I had the honor of attending”, said Portman, “and I look forward to working with the new administration on areas where we agree in order to make a difference in the lives of Ohioans and all Americans. When we disagree, I will do so respectfully.”
That disagreement came within hours when Portman criticized Biden administration action to block the development of KeystoneXL Pipeline, and cost American energy jobs.
“As I’ve said previously, I want to work with the Biden administration to address the most pressing challenges facing our country. As the U.S. continues to struggle amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unfortunate that one of the Biden administration’s first actions will cost American jobs and hurt our economy. The pipeline is creating thousands of good-paying union jobs, boosting our manufacturing sector, and strengthening our energy security in cooperation with Canada, one of our closest allies.
“I have long said that the Keystone XL Pipeline is an essential component of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy that uses all sources of American energy – from nuclear to fossil to renewables to energy efficiency measures – that will enhance U.S. energy security needed to compete and succeed in the decades ahead. My stance has not changed, and I urge the Biden administration to re-examine its decision so that the Keystone XL Pipeline can create jobs, lower energy prices, and help grow our economy.”
The pipeline has been a controversial argument now over three presidencies. President Obama rejected the project in 2015, Trump as one of his first actions in office revived it putting it back on the table, now Biden has reversed that.
Construction on Keystone XL began last year, and the company says about 300 miles of the pipeline has been built so far. The 8 billion dollar pipeline could carry oil from Alberta, Canada to the American Gulf Coast.
President Biden has aimed at a plan to address climate change including immediately rejoining the Paris Accord. Part of that direction is to slow fossil fuels.
“The decision will come with a loss of 10,000 jobs,” says Andy Black, president and CEO of the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, “It will also take 2.2 billion out of payroll for workers pockets what American need or want right now.”
The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said, “Earlier today, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States of America. While we welcome the President’s commitment to fight climate change, we are disappointed but acknowledge the President’s decision to fulfill his election campaign promise on Keystone XL.
“I spoke directly with President Biden about the project last November, and Ambassador Hillman and others in our government made the case to high-level officials in the incoming administration.
“Workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and across Canada will always have our support. Canada is the single-largest supplier of energy to the United States, contributing to U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness, and supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.
“Despite President Biden’s decision on the project, we would like to welcome other executive orders made today, including the decisions to rejoin the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, to place a temporary moratorium on all oil and natural gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and to reverse the travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries.
“I look forward to working with President Biden to reduce pollution, combat climate change, fight COVID-19, create middle-class jobs, and build back better by supporting a sustainable economic recovery for everyone.”
In 2016 TC energy launched a lawsuit against the US and the North American Free Trade Agreement, that was dropped with the signage from Trump administration, but most likely will be filed again after President Biden’s actions.
