1/14/12 - Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) Delivers Weekly GOP Address On Keystone XL Pipeline

In the Weekly Republican Address, North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven discusses the Keystone XL pipeline and why it's "in the national interest and the interest of the American people."

Sen. Hoeven says, "This new $7 billion, 1,700-mile, high-tech transcontinental pipeline, the largest shovel-ready project in the country, would reduce our dependence on Middle East oil, help keep down the cost of energy for American consumers and businesses, and create thousands of jobs for American workers at a time when our nation so greatly needs them."

He points out, "A week ago, newspapers across the country ran a story warning consumers that gasoline could rise to more than $4.00 a gallon this year. In the same week, we saw world markets react nervously to the standoff between the U.S. and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz—through which one-third of the world's seaborne oil is now shipped. Combine all of this with growing global demand for oil, especially in China, and we have a recipe for dramatically higher energy prices and more personal hardship for working Americans. . . . Yet the President is saying 'no' to the Keystone XL pipeline, he's saying 'no' to a project that will bring more than 700,000 barrels of oil a day from our friend and ally, Canada, and he's virtually assuring continued reliance on the Middle East. That makes no sense, and it's a matter of great concern for our national security, particularly with what's going on in Iran."

Sen. Hoeven continues, "Last month the U.S. Senate passed a payroll tax cut measure that includes an important provision that I, along with Senator Richard Lugar, introduced to clear the way for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

"This pipeline will carry oil not only from Alberta, Canada, but also 100,000 barrels a day from the U.S. Bakken region in Montana and my home state of North Dakota. Our legislation accomplishes three crucial things. First, it makes sure the decision to permit the project can be reached within 60 days, it addresses routing concerns by the state of Nebraska, and then it ensures that the pipeline permit includes strong and specific environmental protections. It's hard to imagine a project that is more in the national interest and the interest of the American people."

Concluding, Sen. Hoeven says, "The point is this: If the Keystone XL pipeline isn't built, Canadian oil will still be produced and transported—700,000 barrels a day of it—but instead of coming to our refineries in the United States, instead of creating jobs for our people, instead of reducing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil and keeping down the cost of fuel for American consumers—that oil will be sent to China. A number of year-end stories recently made much of the fact that the Keystone XL pipeline project isn't on the President's agenda before next year's election, which is unfortunate, because it is private-sector projects like Keystone XL—and the hundreds of others cited by the U.S. Chamber study—that will get our nation working again.

"I have worked towards approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, first as governor of North Dakota, and now with my colleagues as a U.S. Senator, because it is just the kind of project that will grow our economy and create more jobs. And that's the larger point here. We must empower private investment and create sustainable jobs through private enterprise to lift up our country. The President and his Administration need to join us in creating the kind of legal, tax, and regulatory environment that empowers private investment. That's the approach that will grow our economy and get people back to work. That's the approach that will reduce our deficit and debt, and strengthen our nation."

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[bush2sucks]

@dakotalandandcattle The tar sands oil has already been out sourced. Look it up and stop listening to lying republicans lobby whores.

[bush2sucks]

This man says we need the tar sands pipe line to help us acheive energy independence BUT he failed to mention that almost all the oil that comes from that project is going to be sold over-seas. I wonder how much of a kick-back he's getting from the pipe line lobby. He may be able to convince brain dead FOX "news" viewers with his lies but that's about it.

[SimXLive]

@8910cbn Almost nothing of what he said was true. He altered facts and completely distorted the truth. It would take research to understand though.

[JamesTyreeII]

@BeantownJim You are racist. Quit spewing your disgusting filth and keep your hate to yourself!

[JamesTyreeII]

@dakotalandandcattle Realize that the oil market IS ALREADY International and that the oil does NOT automatically go to Americans, but ACTUALLY goes into the worldwide marketplace which is based on speculation and high bids and other factors out of our control. Look, If YOU want to have AMERICAN oil, get a mark iv VW Jetta, Golf or Beetle, and use AMERICAN made and grown and recycled B99.99 biodiesel. That is the ONLY way to get American made fuel. REAL patriots burn biodiesel! I do this NOW!

[dakotalandandcattle]

@JamesTyreeII It really breaks my heart to hear you embrace such a wealth of misinformation. As someone who has background information of the oil production coming from both Canada and the norther mid-west, I can see you don't realize all the positives of these projects. You would rather see Canadian oil supplies go to China than this country. You would increase the cost of bringing American oil from ND & Montana to the rest of this country. There is no rape and pillage.

[8910cbn]

Thanks for the TRUTH, Sen. John Hoeven! This country needs more men like you to keep it strong and prosperous.

[JamesTyreeII]

@Gizodfrey No I am against the NDAA! I am pro environment, anti eminent domain (esp. for private profit!) pro social justice and pro human. Keystone XL kills everything I care about! The oil that will come out of the project comes at such a cost as to be irrefutably unaffordale.It will not get to market for at least seven years and it goes onto the worldwide market NOT reserved for us. It goes to whoever pays the most.

[Gizodfrey]

@JamesTyreeII It would help employ people during this economic mess and period of high unemployment; it doesn't need to create permanent jobs to be effective (Keynesian economics sucks). These temporary jobs are a better form of welfare because it doesn't discourage work and actually yields something in return, it also allows for cheaper gas for the people who can't afford it.

My comment was a lost cause when I read your "Obama + Constitution"; the NDAA doesn't protect liberties!

[JamesTyreeII]

This is not sustainable! NO! YOU RepubliCONS need to join President Obama and help protect the citizens, the environment on which we all depend on to stay alive and the constitution!