Biden's Keystone XL pipeline cancellation slammed by GOP attorneys general: 'Real-world costs are devastating'
Montana AG Knudsen estimated the move would cost his state $58 million in annual tax revenue
More than a dozen Republican states’ attorneys general blasted President Biden’s Keystone XL pipeline opposition in a joint letter Tuesday, urged him to reconsider the move and warned that they were “reviewing” legal options they might take against the administration.
“We write with alarm regarding your unilateral and rushed decision to revoke the 2019 Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline,” the letter, organized by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and co-signed by the AGs of 13 other states. “Your decision will result in devastating damage to many of our states and local communities. Even those states outside the path of the Keystone XL pipeline – indeed all Americans – will suffer serious, detrimental consequences.”
Then-state Rep. Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson, speaks about the impact of the failure to pass an infrastructure bill for eastern Montana communities affected by the Bakken oil boom, Tuesday, April 26, 2015, after the Legislature adjourned three days e (AP)
MONTANA SENATOR SHAMES DEMOCRATS' FLIP-FLOP ON KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE, FRACKING
"The real-world costs are devastating," the AGs wrote, adding that canceling pipeline construction will cost thousands of “well-paying jobs,” including union positions, and take additional financial tolls on local governments and businesses that were setting up to work alongside the pipeline.
The White House said job creation was a major goal of the current administration, despite the Keystone issue, and was closely examining the potential impacts of policy changes.
“The Biden-Harris administration has proposed transformative investments in infrastructure that will create millions of good union jobs here in America, boost the U.S. economy, and advance our climate and clean energy goals,” assistant press secretary Vedant Patel said Tuesday.
Your decision will result in devastating damage to many of our states and local communities. Even those states outside the path of the Keystone XL pipeline—indeed all Americans—will suffer serious, detrimental consequences
But the attorneys general warned against giving special treatment to industries still in their early stages.
“It’s bad enough for the government to pick winners and losers in the marketplace, but much worse when the winners are aspirational,” the letter continues. “Aspirations don’t put food on the table, or pay the phone bill, or put kids through college. Jobs do, and you eliminated thousands of them with the stroke of a pen.”
Knudsen estimated the pipeline decision would cost $58 million in annual tax revenue in his state alone, which he said would take money away from schools and public services on top of slashing jobs.
In addition, businesses and municipalities that have invested their own money into interfacing with the expected pipeline are now learning they wasted the time, effort and capital.
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“It is not too much to ask that the President give due consideration to the destructive consequences his decisions impose on our – and his – constituents,” the letter continues. “We are therefore deeply concerned that your unilateral approach, which failed to consider costs and reliance interests, sets a dangerous precedent for other permits and projects that affect all our states.”
The other signers were Steve Marshall of Alabama, Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Christopher Carr of Georgia, Todd Rokita of Indiana, Derek Schmidt of Kansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Eric Schmitt of Missouri, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, Jason Ravnsborg of South Dakota, Ken Paxton of Texas and Patrick Morrisey of West Virginia.
“We cannot ‘Build Back Better’ by reflexively tearing down,” the AGs noted, turning Biden’s campaign slogan back at him.