WASHINGTON, D.C.–Even though the Keystone XL Pipeline’s final phase wouldn’t pass directly through the Magnolia State, some feel the possible positive economic impact would justify giving it the thumbs up. But, it failed Tuesday in the U.S. Senate, just one vote shy of the 60 needed. Both of Mississippi’s senators voted in favor of it, and another vote could be coming in January.
“There are 2.6 million miles of pipeline infrastructure in place in the United States today,” said Wicker. “Adding another 1,179 miles is minute in comparison and would reap immense economic benefits, while having little or no effect on the environment,” said Sen. Roger Wicker.
“I am disappointed Senate Democrats continue to put politics and special interests above creating thousands of American jobs; however, I am optimistic that the Senate will approve the project next year under the new Republican majority.”
Sen. Thad Cochran also voted for the pipeline’s final phase of construction, which would complete a journey for oil from Alberta to the Gulf Coast for refining and export.
“Jobs creation and energy security are priorities for our American economy to grow, and the Keystone XL project would promote both of those goals,” said Cochran. “Bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate have affirmed that it’s time for action and an end to the unnecessary delays of the past six years. This disappointing Senate vote is just one more delay. I look forward to revisiting this issue in the 114th Congress.”
Many Republicans and some Democrats have become frustrated because the Obama administration has repeatedly delayed approval of the permit, which was submitted by TransCanada Corp more than six years ago. The project has undergone five successful environmental reviews since 2008, in addition to multiple legal and regulatory appraisals, said a news release from Cochran’s camp. The last was a Department of State released an Environmental Impact Statement in January 2014 that concluded construction of the pipeline would have no significant impact on the environment..
Yet, the Obama administration has time and again helped put the brakes on over environmental concerns.
Mississippi’s D.C. delegation in the U.S. House voted in favor of the pipeline last week, both Republican and Democrat.
Possible advantages of the Keystone pipeline’s construction include:
· Creating more than 42,000 jobs, according to the State Department;
· Minimal effects to environment based on five exhaustive environmental reviews; and
· Increased supply of North American energy through the shipment of more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
