WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers released the following statement this morning from her office in Washington:

“I'm happy to announce that last night, the House successfully passed H.R. 1938, the North American-Made Energy Security Act (NAMES Act). As energy prices continue to grow, American consumers continue to see their energy costs rise at the mercy of upheaval in the Middle East and lack of new drilling permits here at home."

"This bill is yet another important piece of legislation that will help businesses create jobs and lower gas prices. Specifically, it would expedite the permitting process for the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create more than 100,000 American jobs, and according to the Department of Energy, would greatly reduce our need for oil imports from the Middle East. I'm proud to have been a co-sponsor of this bill and call upon leaders in the Senate to bring it to the floor for a vote."

For more than two years, the U.S. Department of State has refused to approve the permit for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.  The NAMES Act would require the Administration to make a decision on the permit application for the Keystone XL pipeline by November 1, 2011. 

Canada supplies over 2.5 million barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries.  Completion of the pipeline extension will increase America’s access to stable energy supplies, and nearly double the current pipeline’s capacity.

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For more information, please visit Congresswoman Ellmers’ website at www.ellmers.house.gov or call (202) 225-4531.

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @RepReneeEllmers

Tom Doheny
Press Secretary
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers R-NC-2
Washington, DC