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 Congressman Steve Daines today announced that he has joined a bipartisan group of House members in introducing legislation to expeditiously move forward the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline by taking the approval out of President Obama’s hands.

“The American people have been waiting four and half years for President Obama to make a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. Enough is enough,” Daines stated. “This project means millions of dollars injected into the economy and hundreds of good-paying jobs created for Montanans—we can’t afford to wait any longer. If the President refuses to act, we will.”

The Northern Route Approval Act, which Daines co-sponsored alongside Lee Terry (R-NE), removes the need for a presidential permit for the northern portion of the Keystone XL pipeline, which is planned to run from the Canadian border to Steele City, Nebraska. 

It also maintains that the final environmental impact statement issued by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, satisfies all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act, taking into consideration the Nebraska re-route evaluated earlier this year.

This legislation will make it possible for the pipeline to be constructed in its entirety, allowing for up to 100,000 barrels of oil to be moved each day from the Bakken formation, which spreads across eastern Montana and western North Dakota, to U.S. refineries.

Daines took to the House floor earlier this week to call for the expeditious approval of pipeline, in light of yet another report affirming that the pipeline would have “no significant impact” on the environment.  Daines’ remarks may be viewed here.

Daines has been a vocal proponent of the Keystone XL pipeline and has been spearheading efforts in the House to approve the pipeline’s construction.  In late January, Daines led a group of 150 House members in calling on President Barack Obama to approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in light of Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman’s approval of a new route through the state of Nebraska.

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