Key Vote letter regarding H.R. 3, the "Northern Route Approval Act"

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations, and dedicated to promoting, protecting, and defending America’s free enterprise system, supports H.R. 3, the “Northern Route Approval Act,” which would remove the requirement for a Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline as described in the application filed by TransCanada on May 4, 2012. In addition, H.R. 3 would also set clear parameters for judicial review of, as well as streamline the permitting process for, Keystone XL.

The Keystone XL permit request has been under consideration by the Administration since 2008. The proposal has undergone considerable examination and a thorough and lengthy environmental review. The Chamber has long been on record in support of this project because it produces good, high paying jobs, increases supplies of Canadian and American crude to refiners, and therefore further bolsters American economic and energy security. And with more than 50 percent of the Gulf Coast segment of the pipeline complete, additional administrative delay of the project seems counterproductive to our national interests and certain to hurt American consumers and industry.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports H.R. 3, the “Northern Route Approval Act.” The Chamber strongly urges you to vote in favor of H.R. 3, and may consider including votes on, or in relation to, the bill in our annual How They Voted scorecard.

Sincerely,
R. Bruce Josten