House Panel Approves Keystone XL Pipeline Bill | Sojourners

House Panel Approves Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation Tuesday that would reverse President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline.

The Hill.com reports:  

The bill is the latest GOP-led effort to advance the Alberta-to-Texas pipeline. They're also trying to punish President Obama politically ahead of the 2012 elections for failing to greenlight the project that Republicans call a way to create jobs and boost energy security.Rep. Lee Terry’s (R-Neb.) bill – which passed the powerful committee on a 33-20 vote – is likely heading for the House floor next week as part of wider transportation and energy legislation.

It would instruct the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a permit for TransCanada Corp.’s proposed pipeline within 30 days, taking the issue out of the State Department’s hands.

Three Democrats voted with Republicans for the bill: Reps. Jim Matheson (Utah), John Barrow (Ga.) and Mike Ross (Ark.). Republican Rep. Charlie Bass (N.H.) opposed it.

Read The Hill's full report HERE.

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