Congresswoman Fudge Statement on Voting No to Advancing the Keystone Pipeline Project
“The Keystone Pipeline will not likely lead to lower prices at the gas pump but it will favor special interests at taxpayers’ expense.”

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) issued the following statement after voting no on H.R. 5682, legislation that enables immediate construction and connection of a TransCanada Corp. pipeline (known as the Keystone XL Project) from Canada through the United States to oil refineries on the Gulf Coast:

“After careful review, I believe completion of the Keystone Pipeline as authorized in this legislation is not in the best interests of the people of my district or American taxpayers.  I am aware that some may see an economic benefit and with the right legislation, the Keystone project merits consideration. However, this bill is not the answer,” said Congresswoman Fudge.

“Proponents have oversold its ability to lower gasoline prices for consumers and the number of permanent jobs that will be created. Oil is traded as a world commodity based on the laws of supply and demand. I am concerned that this project could decrease the amount of gasoline in U.S. refineries supplied to domestic markets, potentially leading to higher, not lower, prices at the pump. Once refined, there are no guarantees the oil won’t be shipped to other nations rather than fill America’s energy needs.”

“It’s also troubling this bill carves out a regulatory loophole for TransCanada, builder of the Keystone pipeline, that leaves taxpayers fully on the hook to pay for clean-up of any oil spill.  That’s because,  unlike conventional crude oil companies, H.R. 5682 exempts TransCanada and any other company that produces, ships or refines tar sands oil from paying into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which helps the federal government respond to oil spills.”

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