U.S. House Republicans said they will use a must-pass debt bill to push for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Republicans would soon unveil a debt ceiling bill that contains language addressing Keystone XL. The Keystone XL provision could seek to force approval of or speed up a final decision on the controversial pipeline that would transport oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast. Thursday marks the fifth year since TransCanada Corp. first asked the U.S. government for a permit to build the border-crossing project. “I’m proud that our leadership is now discussing and contemplating putting Keystone pipeline in whatever opportunities we may have with the debt ceiling,” said Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., who has sponsored legislation to put a final decision on the pipeline in the hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “I appreciate continued focus on this type of a jobs bill.” The debt ceiling bill is already a political challenge for Republican leaders. Adding hot-button topics like Keystone XL and the renewable fuel standard may help win a few votes in the House but aren’t likely to advance in the Senate.Republicans to Force Keystone XL Pipeline Approval
U.S. House Republicans said they will use a must-pass debt bill to push for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Republicans would soon unveil a debt ceiling bill that contains language addressing Keystone XL. The Keystone XL provision could seek to force approval of or speed up a final decision on the controversial pipeline that would transport oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf Coast. Thursday marks the fifth year since TransCanada Corp. first asked the U.S. government for a permit to build the border-crossing project. “I’m proud that our leadership is now discussing and contemplating putting Keystone pipeline in whatever opportunities we may have with the debt ceiling,” said Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., who has sponsored legislation to put a final decision on the pipeline in the hands of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “I appreciate continued focus on this type of a jobs bill.” The debt ceiling bill is already a political challenge for Republican leaders. Adding hot-button topics like Keystone XL and the renewable fuel standard may help win a few votes in the House but aren’t likely to advance in the Senate.