Oklahoma’s delegation in the US House along with 38 other Republican Representatives introduced a bill Thursday encouraging and promoting the construction of energy infrastructure across border lines with Canada and Mexico.
The Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act was filed a week after President Biden cancelled the US permits allowing construction of the Canadian-based Keystone XL pipeline in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska.
“On his first day in office, President Biden directly attacked the American energy industry and our energy independence by cancelling a key permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline,” Rep. Markwayne Mullin said. “No president should have the authority to unilaterally cancel such a large project that brings good-paying jobs and economic development to our country.”
He was joined by Rep. Stephanie Bice, Tom Cole, Kevin Hern and Frank Lucas in filing the bill which would replace President Permit requirements before construction of an energy facility that cross the US border with either Canada or Mexico.
The House members say their bill would establish transparent procedures to provide regulatory certainty for the expansion of mutually beneficial energy relationships with the two countries.
They contend the measure would streamline the construction and operation of international border-crossing facilities for the import and export of oil, natural gas and electricity.
Other cosponsors of the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act include:
Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), David McKinley (WV-01) Troy Balderson (OH-12), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Daniel Meuser (PA-09), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), French Hill (AR-02), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Paul Gosar (AZ-04), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Greg Steube (FL-17), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Jim Baird (IN-04), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Austin Scott (GA-08), Bob Latta (OH-05), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), John Joyce (PA-13), Steve Chabot (OH-01), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Steve Womack (AR-03), Tracey Mann (KS-01), Michael Guest (MS-03), Brian Babin (TX-36), Yvette Herrell (NM-02), Chris Stewart (UT-02), John Rutherford (FL-04), Scott Perry (PA-10), , and Fred Keller (PA-12).