Trump Signs Executive Action on Keystone XL

President Donald Trump signed an executive action to move forward with the Keystone XL pipeline on Jan 24. He also indicated movement on the Dakota Access oil pipeline, though timelines and other details remain unclear at press time. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that the moves on the pipelines will be subject to the terms and conditions currently being renegotiated by the government.

Senator Steve Daines praised Trump: “The Keystone XL pipeline will create good-paying Montana union and tribal jobs,” he said, adding, “After years of talk and political nonsense, I couldn’t be more thrilled that President Trump has heeded my call to move forward construction of this project.”

On Nov. 6, 2015, former President Barack Obama rejected TransCanada’s application to build the job-creating Keystone XL pipeline, citing concerns about climate change.

In a letter to President Trump dated Dec. 6, 2016, Daines urged immediate action in starting the process to build the Keystone XL pipeline.

Daines also co-sponsored the Northern Route Approval Act in the Montana House, bipartisan legislation that also would permit construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Senator Daines wasn’t the only voice of approval by Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 24): “The Montana Chamber of Commerce is delighted to hear Keystone XL can move forward,” said Webb Brown, president and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.

“This project will benefit Montana in so many ways: business activity, tax revenue, and jobs. We thank Trans-Canada for their faith in Montana, President Trump for this action, and our delegation for their support. Let’s get to work!”

The Keystone XL pipeline is expected to enter the United States through neighboring Phillips County, traveling about 284 miles across eastern Montana to South Dakota.