Quigley Opposes Environmentally Harmful Keystone XL Pipeline
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) moved to protect America's natural resources by voting against the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline that would transport dangerous tar sands oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. He also called on President Obama to reject a Presidential Permit for the project.
"America needs real clean energy solutions that strengthen our economy, create green jobs and reduce our foreign oil dependency," said Rep. Quigley. "The Keystone XL Pipeline offers false promises of job creation and lowered gas prices while polluting our environment and jeopardizing the health and well-being of neighboring communities. Congress must create a long-term national energy plan that puts America on a path to sustainability, instead of wasting time on projects that put us in reverse and undermine our progress."
Rep. Quigley voted against the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3), which would grant the Keystone XL pipeline a special exemption from the U.S. State Department's standard approval process. Quigley and 29 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives also sent a letter to President Obama asking him to deny a Presidential Permit for construction of the pipeline. To view the letter, click here.
Rep. Quigley is a stalwart supporter of the environment and a member of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. He has worked to protect America's coastlines against off-shore drilling and dangerous extraction and to provide greater transparency before the construction of oil and gas pipelines. During his recent Chicago Climate Tour, he visited regional environmental sites to hear from experts on the local impact of climate change and efforts to address the issue. He has consistently reiterated support for strong EPA regulatory authority and protection of public health by voting against anti-regulatory, anti-environment legislation and has called on Congress to craft a national energy plan to make America stronger.
