Shea-Porter Statement on H.R. 5682, Legislation to Fast-Track Keystone Pipeline

Statement

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) issued the following statement after voting "no" on H.R. 5682, a bill to fast-track Keystone Pipeline approval that would stop environmental review of the pipeline and could leave taxpayers on the hook for oil spill cleanup, which passed the House by a vote of 252-161:

"This legislation to fast-track the Keystone Pipeline project is a political ploy that would result in a huge giveaway to TransCanada. Under current law, the United States would bear all the risk of spills and leaks without a guarantee of receiving any of the oil. Right now, the companies responsible for piping diluted bitumen (tar sands oil) through pipelines do not have to pay into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund. This means that, when there's a spill, the taxpayer will have to bail out TransCanada for the cost of the cleanup, because TransCanada doesn't have to pay into the fund.

"History has shown that these pipelines are notorious for springing leaks, and middle class American homeowners, farmers, and ranchers stand to lose the most if there is a spill. The sections of the Keystone Project that are already in use suffered over thirty spills in their first year of operation.

"What's more, there is no evidence that the oil carried by this pipeline would actually improve North American energy independence. The endpoint of the pipeline will be an international trade port, where the fuel will be processed and shipped to whoever in the world is the highest bidder. In testimony before Congress, the executives of TransCanada have refused to guarantee that the fuel would be used here in the United States.

"In order to create jobs and boost the economy, Congress should stop delaying legislation to address our nation's infrastructure and clean energy needs and pass comprehensive bills now. This country needs infrastructure, and men and women need jobs--now.

"I remain convinced that, without significant changes, this project is too risky, and I oppose this bill and any other proposals that would circumvent the State Department's ongoing process."

BACKGROUND

Last year, when the House voted on a nearly-identical bill, H.R. 3, Congresswoman Shea-Porter offered two amendments: the first would have clarified that nothing in H.R. 3 approves or authorizes any proposed pipeline activity between Portland, Maine and Montreal, Canada, and the second would have required that TransCanada disclose its campaign contributions and other electioneering expenditures over the previous five years to the public before the Act would take effect.

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