North American Energy Security Act

Audio of Lugar's Floor Statement on Hoeven-Lugar-Vitter Amendment

Republican letter to Obama: Approve pipeline, secure oil

Lugar Writes to Rep. Waxman: Pipeline approval equals Hoosier jobs

Hoeven-Lugar-Vitter Keystone XL Legislation Introduced

Read the full text of the bill

Read the full summary of the bill

Lugar Writes to Obama: Approve the pipeline now

Congress Approves Senator Lugar's KXL Legislation

Lugar: The President Needs to Make a Decision

Lugar bill included in payroll tax extension

Lugar Calls for Keystone XL Passage NOW

“It is time for Democratic Leader Harry Reid to take the reins off those Senate Democrats willing to stand up for America’s workers. Keystone XL is a win for jobs, a win for our economy, and a win for our national security. Further delay is irresponsible. If the President and Majority Leader aren’t willing to let private investors jumpstart the economy, then it’s time they get out of the way,” U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar said.

The House of Representatives has passed, as part of its payroll tax cut extension bill, Lugar’s Keystone XL legislation. Led by Lugar, a bipartisan group of 41 Senators have cosponsored the Lugar- Hoeven-Vitter North American Energy Security Act, legislation that would compel the Obama Administration to act on a construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline in 60 days. Read the full statement.

Passage of the legislation offered by Senators Dick Lugar (R-IN), John Hoeven (R-ND), David Vitter (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Mike Johanns (R-NE), will:

• Create Jobs,
• Strengthen National Security and
• Promote economic growth

Democrats Blast President Obama on the Keystone XL Pipeline

Read the Press Conference Statement.

Read the summary.

Check out key talking points on the legislation.

Read the legislation in full.

What people are saying:

API supports pro-Keystone legislation to speed job creation and enhance energy security: “We applaud Senator Lugar‟s efforts to move forward a job creating project that has already undergone an extensive environmental review. This bill would enable the permitting process to proceed while efforts continue to resolve concerns related to one isolated area in Nebraska,” said Durbin. “The process has dragged on for more than three years and the latest decision by the president will add at least another year of delay. This shovel ready project should not be shelved for political purposes. President Obama should approve it and make it part of his jobs program because, as he has said, ‘we can’t wait’.” – Marty Durbin, API Executive VP

Lugar Introduces Legislation to Assist Small Business Growth: “Once again, Senator Lugar has stepped up to the plate for small business. With his leadership we hope that we will not only win an extension, but eventually make the bonus depreciation and small business expensing provisions permanent.  Thank you, Senator Lugar!” -  Barbara Quandt, NFIB Indiana State Director

“The Lugar bill is a valiant effort to get the Keystone XL project back on track.“ – Chip Yost, VP of Energy and Resources, National Association of Manufacturers

“If the pipeline project is not implemented, Canada has said that it will sell its oil to China… Let’s hope Sen. Lugar and his colleagues prevail on this issue.” – Dr. Susan Berry, Big Government

“Lugar’s bill has the backing of one former opponent of the earlier proposed route: Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., who had expressed concerns about the pipeline crossing the sensitive Sand Hills region of his state.” – Geof Koss, CQ

“America currently imports about two million barrels a day from Canada. Lawmakers stressed that if approved the U.S. would see that figure increase by another 700,000 barrels. That gain alone would be more than the U.S. currently imports from Venezuela.” – Fox News

“Dozens of Republican senators and leaders of the party are backing the legislation…” – New York Times

“TransCanada would run the pipeline from Canada to Texas by way of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, carrying 700,000 barrels of oil a day.  In addition to the 20,000 high-wage jobs, the project would bring millions of dollars to local communities through property taxes.” – Human Events

“Shawn Howard, TransCanada spokesperon, said he supports any actions that will help expedite the pipeline's approval process, and that the sooner TransCanada can put Americans to work the better.” - NASDAQ

In the News:

3-8-12: National Construction Alliance II union endorses Keystone Pipeline.

1-19-12: Sen. Lugar not giving up on Keystone Pipeline. (WTHR)

12-6-11: AFL-CIO endorses Senator Lugar's North American Energy Security Act.

12-2-11: American Supply Association supports KXL development (ASA).

12-2-11: Republican Governor's Association praises North American Energy Security Act (RGA).

12-1-11: Senator Lugar's North American Energy Security Act was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

12-1-11: Lugar to Keystone Pipeline's rescue? (Energy Policy Information Center).

11-30-11: API supports pro-Keystone legislation to speed job creation and enhance energy security.

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Keystone Pipeline: ‘The Largest Infrastructure Project In North America’

• BLOOMBERG: “At a time when almost one in 10 Americans is unemployed, TransCanada Corp. (TRP) expects to create 20,000 jobs to build the pipeline…” (“Harper Sees Keystone Pipeline Prevailing Over Nebraska With Jobs,” Bloomberg, 10/24/11)
• AFL-CIO: “For America's skilled craft construction professionals, any discussion of the Keystone XL project begins and ends with one word: JOBS… Throughout America's Heartland, the Keystone Pipeline represents the prospect for 20,000 immediate jobs, and as many as 500,000 indirect jobs via a strong economic multiplier effect… without one single dollar of government assistance.” (Mark H. Ayers, President, Building And Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO,  “For The 99% Of Americans, Keystone = JOBS,” Huffington Post, 11/3/11)
• TRANSCANADA: “We're building what is the largest infrastructure project in North America… We're putting a lot of people to work.” (“Pipeline Raises Tough Choice: Jobs Vs. Environment,” CNBC, 9/30/11)
• AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE: “It's the largest shovel-ready project out there…” (“Pipeline Raises Tough Choice: Jobs Vs. Environment,” CNBC, 9/30/11)