Canadian pipeline company TransCanada has filed an application with the U.S. Department of State to build the Keystone XL pipeline.  The pipeline would transport crude oil from the oil sands region of Alberta, Canada, to refineries in the United States.  Because the pipeline would connect the United States with a foreign country, it requires a presidential permit issued by the State Department. The State Department must find that the project would serve the national interest before it can issue the permit. The State Department originally expected to make that decision before the end of 2011. However, on November 10, 2011, the President decided to delay the final decision on the pipeline until after the 2012 election.

In response to this decision, Congress passed H.R. 3765, the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, which included a provision requiring the President to issue the permit within 60 days unless he determines that it would not serve the national interest.  This legislation was signed into law by the President on December 23, 2011.  The Obama Administration then denied the Keystone XL permit less than a month later.

I believe that moving forward with the permitting of the Keystone XL pipeline to move forward, which would create jobs and reduce our dependence on unstable foreign sources of oil, and I am disappointed that the President appears to be playing politics with our nation’s energy security.  TransCanada refiled its application in May 2012.  I am hopeful that the Administration will act more thoughtfully on this permit and with the country’s best interests in mind.