by J.D. Davidson
One of President Joe Biden’s first executive orders drew concerns from U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who said it will cost jobs and hurt the economy.
On Wednesday, Biden signed an order rescinding the presidential permit that allowed for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Before the order, Canadian company TC Energy Corp. announced it had suspended work on the 1,700-mile pipeline.
Portman, an Ohio Republican, said he wants to work with the new administration and called the order unfortunate.
“As I’ve said previously, I want to work with the Biden administration to address the most pressing challenges facing our country. As the U.S. continues to struggle amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, it’s unfortunate that one of the Biden administration’s first actions will cost American jobs and hurt our economy,” Portman said. “The pipeline is creating thousands of good-paying union jobs, boosting our manufacturing sector and strengthening our energy security in cooperation with Canada, one of our closest allies.”
The pipeline, if finished, would carry approximately 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta, Canada, to the Texas Gulf Coast. Passing through six U.S. states, the project has faced multiple legal challenges.
It was originally blocked by President Barack Obama for environmental concerns but came back to life under the Trump administration.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called Biden’s decision politically motivated and said it will hurt American consumers.
“The pipeline – the most studied infrastructure project in American history – is already under construction and has cleared countless legal and environmental hurdles. This is a politically motivated decision that is not grounded in science,” Marty Durbin, president of the chamber’s Global Energy Institute, said. “It will harm consumers and put thousands of Americans in the building trades out of work.”
Portman said the project plays a key role in the country’s diversified energy program and helps to lower energy costs for consumers.
“I have long said that the Keystone XL Pipeline is an essential component of an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy that uses all sources of American energy – from nuclear to fossil to renewables to energy efficiency measurers – that will enhance U.S. energy security needed to compete and succeed in the decades ahead,” Portman said. “I urge the Biden administration to re-examine its decision so that the Keystone XL Pipeline can create jobs, lower energy prices and help grow our economy.”
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An Ohio native, J.D. Davidson is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience in newspapers in Ohio, Georgia, Alabama and Texas. He has served as a reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. Davidson is a regional editor for The Center Square.
Background Photo “Keystone Pipeline” by shannonpatrick17. CC BY 2.0.
He’s lubing us up…speculation is that he’ll vote for impeachment, which would explain the real reason he’s not running again. Too many red pills to get away with his deceit anymore; let’s just hope he never comes back like Lord Farquaad did.
Hey, Mr. Portman. I just read an article on Newsmax where 29 GOP senators oppose Trump’s impeachment trial. Your name was not on that list. It’s a good thing that you are not running for re-election in 2022. You wouldn’t have a chance of winning. If you change your mind about running for re-election, you may want to run as a Democrat; which is what you really are.
My god Rob…..actually speaking out AGAINST a Democrat. I am shocked. You’ll not get my vote next time around.
I amazed Rob Portman would dare to speak out against his President select. He has been so milquetoast about President Trump while the media and democrats continually piled on negatives with absolutely nothing positive in their media barnyard dogs. TOO LATE ROB, AS SOMEONE ELSE ALREADY SAID. GO FIND YOUR BUDDIES kASIC AND DEWINE.
Too little too late Rob, your out.
Rob “The RINO” Portman has some guts. Imagine that.