February 16, 2022

DOE Misses Deadline—Cassidy, Risch, Colleagues Demand Answers on Shutdown of Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jim Risch (R-ID) led 9 colleagues today demanding the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) release a report detailing the total job loss as a result of the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline. This report was mandated by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to study the economic effects of President Biden’s Executive Order that shut down construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. By law, the report was due to Congress 90 days after the signing of IIJA, which would have been Sunday, February 13, 2022.

“At the time of its closure, the Keystone XL Pipeline project was already under construction and employed more than 1,500 workers. By the end of 2021, the Keystone XL pipeline was projected to provide approximately 11,000 jobs. The closure erased thousands of real, high-paying jobs and approximately $800 million in wages,” wrote the senators.

“Knowing the full impact of the President’s actions is important to the American people,” continued the senators. “We urge you to complete your obligation under the law and release your report to Congress immediately.”

Cassidy and Risch were joined by Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Barrasso (R-WY), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Tom Cotton (R-AR).

Read the full letter here or below.

Dear Secretary Granholm: 

Section 40434 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which became law on November 15, 2021, directed the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study to estimate “the total number of jobs that were lost as a direct or indirect result of” and “the impact on consumer energy costs that are projected to result as a direct or indirect result of” President Biden’s Executive Order canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline. The Secretary of Energy was required to release results of that study to Congress no later than 90 days after enactment. This Sunday, February 13, 2022, marked 90 days since enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Department of Energy has not released the required report. We request that you immediately provide the current status of the required report and provide the report to the appropriate Congressional Committees. 

At the time of its closure, the Keystone XL Pipeline project was already under construction and employed more than 1,500 workers. By the end of 2021, the Keystone XL pipeline was projected to provide approximately 11,000 jobs. The closure erased thousands of real, high-paying jobs and approximately $800 million in wages. Significant prospective spending for rural communities and small businesses, as well as tax revenue for local schools and public safety, disappeared with the stroke of a pen. President Biden’s Executive Order destroyed numerous jobs and changed countless lives. It also strained relationships with Canada and put the United States at a strategic disadvantage when it comes to energy security for us and our allies. Knowing the full impact of the President’s actions is important to the American people.   

We urge you to complete your obligation under the law and release your report to Congress immediately. We look forward to a prompt and detailed response.

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