WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) cosponsored legislation that would require a construction permit to be issued for the Keystone XL pipeline within 60 days of passage. 

The North America Energy Security Act would reverse President Obama’s recent announcement postponing a decision on the permit until after the 2012 election, despite reviewing the Keystone XL permit for three years and conducting two comprehensive environmental evaluations of the project. 

“We need to use the oil resources we have in North America to lower gas prices and decrease our dependence on foreign oil from unstable regions. Delaying this project costs thousands of well-paying jobs when Americans need reliable employment and it hurts Arkansas businesses that have invested millions of dollars to help produce the pipeline,” Boozman said. 

The proposed 1,700 mile Keystone XL pipeline would transport 700,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada and the U.S. Bakken region to U.S. refineries. Canada’s oil sands are among the largest oil reserves in the world.  As global demand for oil surges and Canada increases production, the addition of the Keystone XL pipeline will ensure that Americans benefit from reliable and secure oil from our largest trading partner. 

The $7 billion pipeline cost to be paid by the Keystone XL consortium will fund nearly half a billion dollars in salaries and purchase $6.5 billion worth of materials, services, and other local economic activity. Over time, strengthening U.S.-Canada oil sands energy cooperation can create hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs.  Trade with Canada will accelerate America’s independence from overseas oil and will maximize benefits to complement increased U.S. domestic oil production, usage of more alternative fuels, and vehicle innovation to save fuel and dollars at the gas pump. 

The North America Energy Security Act: 

• Establishes Congressional affirmation that Keystone XL is good for job creation, economic growth, and national security.
• Requires the Secretary of State to issue a permit within 60 days to allow the Keystone XL project to move ahead, unless the President publicly determines that it is not in the national interest. 
• Requires the permit for Keystone XL to contain strong and specific environmental protections and protect states’ rights.
• Requires the Federal permit to recognize an alternative route approved by Nebraska, protecting their ability to shift the route of the pipeline to avoid the Sand Hills while not holding up construction elsewhere.
• Concludes more than three years of Federal review by deeming the Final Environmental Impact Statement to be adequate.

Similar legislation was recently introduced in the House of Representatives.