REGINA - Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is joining 10 U.S.
governors to urge President Barack Obama to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline
project.
In a letter, sent ahead of Obama’s inauguration for
his second term, the premier and governors refer to the pipeline as “fundamentally
important to the future economic prosperity of both the United States and
Canada.”
The proposed pipeline by TransCanada Corporation would
transport oil from Hardisty, Alberta, through a portion of southwest
Saskatchewan, to Steele City, Nebraska, then onto the Gulf Coast. It is
expected President Obama will rule on a revised application by TransCanada
sometime this year.
Wall and the governors explain the pipeline is crucial
to U.S. energy security because oil exports from Canada could reach four million
barrels a day by 2020. That is twice what is currently imported by the Persian
Gulf.
The letter says thousands of manufacturing and
construction jobs would be created on both sides of the border and there will
be spin-off economic benefits in those communities along the pipeline’s route.
In the letter, it is noted that transporting large
volumes of crude oil is most efficient with the use of a pipeline. The premier
and governors stress they are committed to making sure the environment and
public health and safety are protected.
Below is the letter Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall
sent to President Obama
Premier Brad Wall and 10 U.S. governors urge Obama to approve Keystone pipeline
A spokesperson for Alberta Premier Alison Redford issued this written statement to Global News:
"Premier Redford has long championed opening new markets for Alberta oil, including projects like Keystone XL.
"Alberta's position is well understood by President Obama's administration, decision makers in Congress and Governors on both sides of the aisle - just last month the Premier was in Chicago and met with the National Governors Association on issues including Keystone XL.
"Premier Redford welcomes every bit of support for Alberta's efforts to open new markets and as today's letter speaks to, it's in all of Canada's interests for Alberta to succeed in opening new markets for our oil."
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.