Congressman Lee Terry

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) at a press conference today introduced legislation to remove the need for a presidential permit for the northern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline so the construction, operation and maintenance of this portion could begin in a timely manner. The bill would also preserve the ongoing work in Nebraska.

Congressman Terry released the following statement:

"All I am saying with my legislation is 'Mr. President, please treat the northern portion of the pipeline in the same manner as you treated the southern portion. You praised the construction for the southern route but keep changing the rules for the part that crosses the border.' We need consistency but more importantly, we need to take the politics out of the debate."

"During these bleak economic times and with our jobless rate remaining steady at 8.2%, it is time to release the political grip on the Keystone pipeline and begin to put Americans back to work. The rules have been followed, all of the required environmental reviews have been conducted and the President has praised the work on the southern route of the pipeline but continues to stall and deny the Presidential permit for the northern route. It is inconceivable."

"Our neighbors to the North and the states who will benefit from this pipeline need to have the reassurance that the construction of the pipeline is a priority. We can no longer afford to have important energy issues held hostage by election-day politics."

A brief timeline:

May 4, 2012 TransCanada files a new permit at the State Department

June 15 State Department issues a notice of intent to prepare a Supplemental EIS for the entire northern route (1179 miles), not just the 88 miles of re-route for the state of Nebraska

June 25 Congressman Terry and Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield write to the Secretary of State asking for clarification of the scope of the SEIS

June 29 Congressman Terry, along with many of his colleagues, urged the House and Senate Conference on Surface Transportation projects to include the North American Energy Access Act as part of the final legislation. The language was removed as part of last minute dealings with conferees and was not part of the final bill

July 19 Congressman Terry and Subcommittee Chairman Whitfield receive a non-responsive letter from State

July 23 Congressman Terry, along with 48 cosponsors introduce legislation to remove the need for a presidential permit for the northern route, while preserving the ongoing work in Nebraska