Washington, D.C. –Congressman Rick Berg today announced that the House has taken another step to move forward the approval of the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline project.

The North American Energy Access Act, which Berg helped introduce, was approved this morning by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The legislation would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority and oversight over the pipeline’s permit and construction.

“By continuing to block the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama has made it clear that he would rather put politics ahead of American jobs and sound energy policy,” Berg stated. “But even if the President continues to block common-sense energy solutions, like those that have worked in North Dakota, we will not stop pursuing them. Today, the House has taken another step today to move forward the approval of the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline—a project that holds tremendous potential for North Dakota’s energy sector and will help move Bakken crude oil to U.S. refineries, provide relief to the strained infrastructure needs in western North Dakota, and create much needed American jobs.”

In today’s hearing, members of the committee specifically highlighted oil production in North Dakota, noting that North Dakota’s energy sector is playing a significant role in moving the United States toward energy independence and the state stands poised to benefit from the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Bakken Field crude oil expected to account for approximately 25 percent of the pipeline’s expanded capacity.  The construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would also provide relief to North Dakota’s strained infrastructure by taking as many as 500 truckloads of oil off western North Dakota roads each day.

The project will more than double the current pipeline’s capacity, and is estimated to bring more than 1.2 million barrels per day into U.S. markets and help create more than 100,000 American jobs.

The North American Energy Access Act is expected to be included in the Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, which will come before the House floor for a vote this month.

Last month, President Obama announced that his administration would reject the permit for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, in turn blocking the creation of thousands of American jobs.  Berg continues to help lead efforts in the House to move the Keystone XL approval forward, while North Dakota Senator John Hoeven is also working in the Senate on proposals to move forward the project.

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