03.29.19

Hoeven Statement on Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven released the following statement today after the president signed a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. This permit, which supersedes a 2017 permit, reaffirms the national importance of the project to help move it forward. In December, Hoeven and Senator Steve Daines led a bicameral letter with of 42 Senators and Representatives urging the President to take immediate action to advance construction.

“This presidential permit reaffirms that the Keystone XL pipeline project is in our national interest and shows the administration’s commitment to building this important energy infrastructure project,” said Hoeven. “The Keystone XL pipeline is not only about energy, but also about jobs and economic growth. After more than a decade of review, it’s time that we get this project built.” 

In the 114th Congress, Hoeven introduced S.1, legislation to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline on constitutional grounds. The bill passed with bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House, but was then vetoed by President Obama, who had delayed the project for more than seven years. In March 2017, the Trump Administration approved the permit to build the pipeline, but construction on the project was halted by a federal court decision in Montana. 

-###-