Congressman Dan Boren Co-Sponors Bills To Construct Keystone Pipeline

Oklahoma's Second District Congressman Dan Boren has signed on as the lead Democrat to two bipartisan bills that would permit the Keystone XL pipeline to begin construction immediately.

In a news release from Boren's office, the congressman signed on as an original co-sponsor of the Energizing America Through Employment Act, introduced by Representative Connie Mack of Florida.

The bill would authorize TransCanada to construct and operate the 1,000 mile Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta, Canada, through Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast.

The release says the total economic benefits to the U.S. from the Keystone pipeline is estimated to be $20 billion, and states along the pipeline route, including Oklahoma, are expected to receive an additional $5.2 billion in property taxes during the 60 year estimated operating life of the pipeline.

Dan Boren statement:

"The Keystone Pipeline is vital to our national interest. The construction of the pipeline would create 15,000 direct jobs in manufacturing and over 100,000 related jobs. At a time when 15 million Americans are unemployed, it is irresponsible to not move forward with the project. Moreover, this is a matter of national security. The amount of oil the pipeline would allow us to source domestically is nearly as much as we import per day from Saudi Arabia. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is critical to both our energy and economic security."

Boren is also the lead Democrat of H.R. 3811, the Keystone for a Secure Tomorrow Act introduced by Representative Ted Poe of Texas.

This bill would allow Congress to directly and immediately approve the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.