Congressman Lee Terry

WASHINGTON, DC -

Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) today introduced the North American Energy Access Act (H.R. 3548), legislation transferring permitting approval authority over the Keystone XL Pipeline to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The Act creates a structured process by which FERC would approve the pipeline, including the route modification to be worked out with Nebraska. Under this legislation, the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline would remain in harmony with the National Environmental Policy Act, while still enabling construction to begin on the non-Nebraskan portion of the pipeline, while details and approval of the Nebraska route modification are worked out.

"The American people want us to stop buying Venezuelan oil. The Keystone Pipeline is a key component to making that happen.

"Going forward with FERC is simply moving the authority to an agency that understands pipelines. This legislation means that Keystone will progress in a timely manner and that our country gets the much-needed jobs and energy security that it will bring. This legislation needs to become law," Terry said.