November 18, 2014

Manchin Statement on Keystone XL Pipeline Vote

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) today issued the following statement on the Senate failing to approve the Keystone XL pipeline by a vote of 59-41.

“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate failed to pass the Keystone XL pipeline,” Senator Manchin said. “We have everything to gain by building this pipeline, especially since it would help create thousands of jobs right here at home. Keystone XL is expected to create 20,000 direct jobs during construction and 118,000 indirect and spinoff jobs. With well over 1,000 American businesses already supplying goods and services to pipeline companies, the ripple effects of these projects would continue to boost economic prosperity and create more employment opportunities in other industries. Every state - including West Virginia - would benefit economically from this activity.

“Contrary to assertions, Keystone is not an export pipeline. The State Department’s Environmental Impact Statement has even stated that it would not be cost-effective to export the pipeline’s oil, stating that 'export is unlikely to be economically justified for any significant' time.

“Building the Keystone XL pipeline would not only create jobs, but it would limit our dependence on foreign oil. Energy security is often discussed, but the benefits of Keystone are much more than simple generalizations. The global supply of energy relies on oil producers in deeply unstable regions, and the Keystone pipeline would help stabilize global supply while also benefiting Americans and our allies.”