Opposes President Biden's revocation of Presidential Permit for Keystone XL pipeline.
The bill underscores the importance of maintaining a mutually beneficial trade relationship with Canada, highlighting that nearly half of U.S. petroleum imports originated from Canada. In the assembly's view, the revocation of the permit may compromise energy security and economic interests, possibly causing harm to American-Canadian relations. Furthermore, the assembly has called on President Biden to reconsider his decision in light of these factors, asserting that the completion of the pipeline would facilitate not only energy transport but also economic growth in terms of job creation.
Assembly Resolution No. 135 expresses the New Jersey Assembly's opposition to President Biden's decision to revoke the Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which was initially granted in March 2019. The resolution argues that the pipeline, proposed by TC Energy, would significantly enhance the U.S. oil supply by connecting it to oil fields in Canada, with the capability of transporting up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day. Proponents believe that the project would bolster energy independence, as it represents a substantial source of oil that is essential for meeting the demands of New Jersey residents post-COVID-19 pandemic, especially for commuting and commercial activities.
Critics of the pipeline project contend that it poses environmental risks and do not believe that the benefits, such as job creation or energy independence, justify the potential drawbacks. The resolution posits that if President Biden does not reinstate the Presidential Permit, Congress should take legislative action to reverse the decision. The assembly is particularly concerned about how the termination of the pipeline project could influence job opportunities, given that the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline was projected to create approximately 11,000 high-paying jobs, which would need to be replaced with alternative employment strategies presented by the Biden administration.