Today, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) joined Rep. Mike Coffman and other Republican members of the Colorado Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Obama asking him to reverse his decision to deny a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project.

The pipeline would transport crude oil derived from the Athabasca Oil Sands in western Canada nearly 1,700 miles to processing facilities throughout the United States.

In a strongly-worded delegation letter signed by Lamborn, Coffman, Scott Tipton, and Cory Gardner, the Members called on the Obama Administration to consider the adverse effects the decision will have on Colorado’s economy and national security.

“Colorado exports more to Canada than to any other country, and over 143,000 jobs in Colorado depend on our trade relationship with Canada,” the Colorado Congressmen said in the letter, “Degrading this trade relationship, as the rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline does, will only negatively affect job growth and the economy.”

The lawmakers also emphasized the potential for the project to create tens of thousands of jobs and to provide a much-needed boost to Colorado’s economy.

“The $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline project is projected to create 20,000 direct jobs beginning immediately upon approval. This is as ‘shovel ready’ as they come,” the lawmakers said in the letter.“Colorado is home to several nationally and internationally respected world class universities, as well as engineering, environmental, water resource, project management, service, and construction companies who would have the opportunity to bid on various parts of the multi-disciplined project.”
 

On Wednesday, the Obama administration announced that it would not approve the permit for the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline project because it was “determined not to serve the national interest.” Lamborn and his fellow Colorado U.S. Representatives disagree and point out in the letter that all environmental concerns have been addressed.
 

“TransCanada has re-routed the proposed pipeline around the Nebraska Sandhills, thereby addressing the primary focus of publicly-stated environmental opposition,” the letter states.“Furthermore, all states through which the pipeline passes have now approved the route.”

 

In the letter, the Members not only highlight the economic benefits of the project, but they also outline how they believe it would greatly benefit our national security interests.
 

“The project would protect and enhance our energy security, perhaps more than any other action, and increase national security by reducing dependence on unstable and unfriendly oil-producing nations and along unreliable transport routes such as the Strait of Hormuz,” Lamborn and his colleagues said in the letter. “If the pipeline is not approved it is likely that Canada will look to transport the oil to the Asian markets, which would have negative commercial, environmental and national security consequences.”

“Reversing your rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline and instead moving towards its timely approval is entirely consistent and aligned with our nation’s goals of energy security, greater energy independence, job and economic growth, and reducing the trade imbalance, national debt and deficit. We should not miss such a unique opportunity for the overall long-term security and well-being of our nation. For this reason, we urge you to reconsider your decision,” the Colorado U.S. Representatives conclude in the letter. 
 

See below for a text of the letter or click here for a PDF.


January 19, 2012

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama, 

We urge you to reconsider your decision regarding the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline. 

The Keystone XL pipeline would benefit the United States, Colorado, and our most valuable trading partner, Canada.  The United States imports more oil from Canada than any other single country in the world, and crude petroleum is Colorado’s top import from Canada.  In return, Colorado exports more to Canada than to any other country, and over 143,000 jobs in Colorado depend on our trade relationship with Canada.  Degrading this trade relationship, as the rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline does, will only negatively affect job growth and the economy.

The rejection of this proposal also means the rejection of other significant benefits that the Keystone XL Pipeline would provide. The project would protect and enhance our energy security, perhaps more than any other action, and increase national security by reducing dependence on unstable and unfriendly oil-producing nations and along unreliable transport routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. It would reduce the hundreds of billions of dollars of trade imbalance the U.S. spends annually on overseas oil, and thereby ease our debt and deficit crisis. Finally, if the pipeline is not approved it is likely that Canada will look to transport the oil to the Asian markets, which would have negative commercial, environmental and national security consequences.  

We must support projects that can directly and indirectly add jobs and economic benefit to Colorado companies.  Canada and its Prime Minister have formally requested support from the United States for the Keystone XL pipeline, and it is advantageous for the United States to maintain and improve its personal, political, and commercial relations with Canada. Approval of their reasonable request benefits the economy and national security of both nations and preserves relationships for future trade and commerce with Colorado and the U.S.

The $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline project is projected to create 20,000 direct jobs beginning immediately upon approval.  This is as “shovel ready” as they come. Colorado is home to several nationally and internationally respected world class universities, as well as engineering, environmental, water resource, project management, service, and construction companies who would have the opportunity to bid on various parts of the multi-disciplined project.  Colorado and the United States could further benefit by positioning to provide consultation on environmental mitigation of either the producing source of the oil or along the 1,700 mile route.

TransCanada has re-routed the proposed pipeline around the Nebraska Sandhills, thereby addressing the primary focus of publicly stated environmental opposition. Furthermore, all states through which the pipeline passes have now approved the route.

Reversing your rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline and instead moving towards its timely approval is entirely consistent and aligned with our nation’s goals of energy security, greater energy independence, job and economic growth, and reducing the trade imbalance, national debt and deficit.  We should not miss such a unique opportunity for the overall long-term security and well-being of our nation. For this reason, we urge you to reconsider your decision.

Sincerely, 


Mike Coffman
Member of Congress

Doug Lamborn
Member of Congress

Scott Tipton
Member of Congress

Cory Gardner
Member of Congress

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