Fitzpatrick Disappointed with President’s Pipeline Rejection

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick issued the following statement on the announcement that President Obama has rejected the permit for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline:

“I am disappointed the President has chosen not only to sacrifice thousands of family-sustaining jobs, but also to put the future of American energy independence in jeopardy.  The rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline deprives our economy of a much-needed boost at a time when so many Americans, particularly in the construction industry, are looking for work.”

“As tensions escalate with Iran and uncertainty over the stability of the Middle East persists, now is the time to aggressively pursue more secure sources of energy, not reject them outright.  This construction of this pipeline is an economic, energy, and national security issue.”

“Even the President’s own jobs council as late as yesterday came out with a report which states that ‘…now more than ever, the jobs and economic and energy security benefits of these energy projects require us to tackle the issues head-on and to expeditiously, though cautiously, move forward on projects that can support hundreds of thousands of jobs.’”

“Projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline are vital to the bipartisan goal of energy independence, and I urge the President to reconsider this decision.”

During a recent appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Director Brent Booker of the Laborers’ International Union of North America testified that “The Keystone XL will create good paying jobs here in the United States and Canada.  It will increase the nation’s energy security by providing a reliable source of crude oil from a friendly and stable trading partner… For many members of the Laborers, this project is not just a pipeline; it is in fact, a life-line.”

Fitzpatrick represents the 8th district, which includes Bucks County.