A bipartisan group of 18 senators, led by Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Max Baucus (D-MT), wrote a letter to President Obama asking for a meeting about the trans-continental Keystone XL Pipeline.
Moody’s, the ratings agency, forecasted the Obama administration would approve the project in Obama’s second term, but these senators asked for a meeting with Obama to ask him to accelerate the process and approve the pipeline that would lead to more American jobs and allow America to become closer to achieving energy independence.
“Setting politics aside: Nothing has changed about the thousands of jobs that Keystone XL will create,” wrote the senators in the letter. “Nothing has changed about the energy security to be gained through an important addition to the existing pipeline network built with sound environmental stewardship and the best modern technology.
“Nothing has changed about the security to be gained from using more fuel produced at home and by a close and stable ally. And nothing has changed about the need for America to remain a place where businesses can still build things.”
Hoeven also said that the pipeline “represents not only thousands of jobs and growth for the nation’s economy, but also a big step toward American energy independence,”
“We can become energy independent in America within five to seven years, but we must commit to moving forward with important projects like the Keystone XL pipeline,” Hoeven said.
In addition to Hoeven and Baucus, the other 16 senators who signed the letter included:
Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Kent Conrad (D-ND.), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Mary Landrieu (D-LA.), Dick Lugar (R-IN), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jon Tester (D-MT), David Vitter (R-LA) and Jim Webb (D-VA).
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