TULSA, Okla. — On President Biden's first day in office, he revoked a presidential permit for the construction of the long-disputed Keystone XL oil pipeline.
READ MORE: Keystone XL oil pipeline halted as President Biden revokes permit
In March 2019, former President Donald Trump granted the 1,700-mile pipeline, which planned to carry roughly 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta to the Texas Gulf Coast, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Several Oklahoma representatives are responding to Biden's decision to revoke the permit causing a halt in production and theloss of over 1,000 jobs in the coming weeks.
Senator James Lankford said Biden didn't waste time in "turning back years of Americans' hard work."
“The Keystone XL is the physical embodiment of Democrats’ crusade against traditional energy. President Biden wasted no time turning back years of Americans’ hard work developing, ironing out the route, and building this trans-border pipeline,” said Lankford. “The southern leg of Keystone, which begins in Cushing, Oklahoma, has been complete for more than six years, but the northern leg of the pipeline—under the strictest pipeline safety standards ever implemented—has faced countless delays. Pipelines are the safest way to transport oil. Yesterday’s irrational denial of the Keystone XL permit damages our relationship with Canada and will lead to higher prices at the pump for consumers. While Oklahomans want to see the US continue to pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy, we also understand that currently our cars and trucks run on oil. Limiting access to an oil pipeline kills jobs and limits our energy supply. Kicking people who work in the energy sector on day-one may help progressive politics, but in Oklahoma, we know our jobs and livelihoods are next. ”
In December 2018, Lankford, along with 43 members of Congress, urged Trump in a letter to move forward with the construction of the pipeline after a federal judge blocked the construction in November 2018.
Congressman Tom Cole said the decision to cancel the pipeline is going to cost the country billions of dollars.
"The decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline will cost our country billions of dollars, thousands of jobs and weaken America’s energy independence. It is also a slap in the face to our Canadian friends, hurting their economy and implicitly questioning the judgment of one of America’s best friends and most reliable allies," said Cole.
Revoking the pipeline permit was one of 17 executive orders Biden signed during his first day in office. Other executive order included: extending student loan pause, rejoining WHO and stopping border wall construction.
READ MORE: Biden’s executive orders will extend student loan pause, rejoin WHO, stop border wall construction
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