The American Trucking Associations ((ATA) praised the release of the final environmental impact statement by the State Department that found the Keystone XL pipeline project would have limited negative impacts on the environment.
“We believe that the Keystone XL project, which will bring 700,000 barrels of oil to US refineries, will reduce fuel costs for carriers and consumers, create thousands of new jobs, and provide a much needed boost to the economy,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said.
The proposed Keystone XL pipeline would carry crude oil from Canada’s vast deposits of oil sands to refineries along the Gulf Coast and other areas of the United States.
“The State Department’s positive environmental impact statement clears the way for the Obama administration to approve the Keystone XL project, which we urge them to do as quickly as possible,” Graves said. “In addition to lowering fuel costs, the project will generate billions in economic growth and jobs and improve US energy security by reducing our dependence on Middle Eastern oil.”
The project still faces stiff resistance from the Environmental Protection Agency and other anti-business groups in the Obama Administration.