Residents and business owners affected by President Biden’s executive order canceling the Keystone XL pipeline met on Monday in southwestern South Dakota and appealed to three Republican congressmen in an effort to help restart the project.
During his early days as president, Biden revoked the Keystone XL license and ended construction on the controversial pipeline that would transport oil from Canada to Texas. Although the change was celebrated by the mainstream media and environmental activists, the decision was a serious blow to the business of a small town in the center of the country.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, RS.D. organized the meeting and was attended by the Reps. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash. and Kelly Armstrong, RN.D., who is sponsoring legislation to restart the pipeline.
Among those who spoke at Monday’s event in Philip, SD was Jeff Birkeland, the CEO of West Central Electric Cooperative, who reportedly served pumping stations across the XL route.
MANCHIN LETTER THINKS FOR BIDEN ASKING HIM TO REVERSE THE TERMINATION OF THE KEYSTONE XL TUBE
“We are in the middle of nowhere. We will soon be forgotten – no one pays attention to us,” Birkeland told Fox News. “We are trying to disclose that they are affecting lives here.”
Since the project was first suspended in 2011, West Central Electric has lost $ 90 million in revenue. In addition, local school districts lost $ 1.7 million in tax revenue and the state lost $ 4 million in sales tax revenue.
While these numbers may not seem large compared to other locations, Birkeland said that for his small community in central South Dakota, it is a huge amount.
“People made improvements to their business based on what they thought was going on and it ended,” said Birkeland. “Now they are holding the bag and they cannot make their payments.”
PRESIDENT AFL-CIO’S REACTION TO KEYSTONE XL SHUTDOWN SHOWS THE DIVISION BETWEEN UNION LEADERSHIP, MEMBERS: EXPERTS
One such person is Tricia Burns, who owns a wellness center in Philip. She says that 48 hours after the pipeline was canceled, she lost 45 contracts worth just over $ 3,000 a month in revenue.
Having a gym in a city of just 800 means that “there’s not much room for potential growth,” Burns told Fox News.
“So many times I’ve heard in the past two weeks, ‘There are other jobs. It was a temporary job – they knew it. There are certainly so many points that we can discuss, “she said.” However, there are many points that are being left out. “
Birkeland said that due to the divisive political climate, crucial information about the Keystone XL pipeline and TransCanada Energy’s commitment to green energy is being overlooked or ignored.
Since it was first proposed more than 10 years ago, the Keystone XL project has evolved to accommodate North America’s drive towards renewable energy. According to TC Energy, the pipeline would have operated with zero net emissions when put into service in 2023, and would be the first gas pipeline of its kind to be powered entirely by renewable energy by 2030.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“Trans Canada is committed to making this carbon neutral and putting all wind and solar energy to market its oil – how can this be wrong? It seems like everyone wins, ”said Birkeland.
Birkeland and Burns expressed hope for a possible revival of the project.
“I don’t ask for much, but I’m at the point where I need to ask for help,” pleaded Birkeland. “I would like to meet with President Biden about this. I want someone to hear it, instead of everyone saying ‘no, it’s done’.”