Florida and Alaska have recently joined 21 other states in suing the Biden Administration over the cancellation of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Through several intensive studies, the Obama State Department even concluded that the Pipeline would boost the U.S economy, create American jobs, and safely transport oil throughout the country without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
The president and his administration have shown no empathy for the people who depend on their jobs, the revenue, and the independence it gives the American public. Every state should be suing Biden over the pipeline since it affects gas prices in all 50 states – and not just the states where the pipeline has a physical presence.
One of President Joe Biden’s first acts in office was to cancel the permit for the pipeline, which had been passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump. The pipeline would cross into the United States in northern Montana and pass through six counties before proceeding through South Dakota and connecting to other pipelines in Nebraska.
The project was proposed in 17 minority and/or low-income populations, with communities being infused with tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and an estimated 42,100 jobs with $2 billion in earnings.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor added their own complaints with the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, explaining how the Constitution is clear that the President does not have the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. They also can’t unilaterally undo an act of Congress.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said that the fallout from the Colonial pipeline cyberattack makes it “very clear” that we need more energy infrastructure, not less. He adds that the Keystone XL pipeline would get more oil, including Montana oil, to American refineries to be sold to American consumers. The state of Montana was expected to include 3,700 direct construction jobs from the pipeline project, generating $127 million in employment earnings.
“We will continue to fight to this federal overreach, along with the 22 other states, so that Montanans can benefit from the jobs, tax revenue, and enhanced energy independence the Keystone XL will bring to our communities,” Knudsen said.
Chief Judge Brian Morris of the U.S District Court for the District of Montana, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, points out that Biden, or a future president, could issue another permit and that the possibility remains for the project to be reinstated.
“In fact, President Biden exercised such unilateral and unchecked authority in his revocation of the 2019 Permit. That revocation included no mention of the lawfulness of the underlying 2019 Permit, but instead noted that the 2019 Permit ‘disserves the U.S. national interest,’” Morris said.
The governor of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, Justice Minister Jord Wyant, also said they would file a brief in support of the lawsuit and argue that the president unconstitutionally changed energy policies set by Congress.
“While we’re not going to be participating as a full intervenor, we will be providing what’s called an amicus brief, which is a friend of the court. Just outlining what the financial implications to the economy are, as a result of the cancellation,” Wyant said.
This is a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity for communities, with highly anticipated jobs, business deals, and investments for the state. Biden continues to tout imaginary green-energy jobs without any real possibility that it would put food on the table and support hard-working American families. The pipeline has passed the environmental checks and been proven as one of the most efficient ways to move carbon energy across great distances and create good-paying jobs for U.S citizens.
Since day 1, Biden’s activities have been about reversing every positive move Trump made towards making America independent of foreign energy sources and progress towards real energy independence.
