"Construction and operation of the Keystone XL Pipeline, as well as oil production and refining activities related to it, would create tens of thousands of jobs for American workers, enhance our nation’s energy security, support affordable and reliable energy for American families, and generate significant State and local tax revenues that can be invested in schools, hospitals, and infrastructure," according to a press statement released by the White House.
Praise for the president's actions came in from several quarters, including Vets4Energy, a national volunteer organization of veterans who advocate for increased energy independence.
"This is a major step forward. We're going to see many thousands of jobs created by the Keystone XL Pipeline," said Capt. James McCormick, USA (ret), a bronze and silver star recipient and program director for Vets4Energy.
"What we now know is that we have a president who understands energy security. This is a positive step in the building of our energy infrastructure. And those American jobs can be filled by veterans," added McCormick. "Some against the building of our energy infrastructure say these are temporary jobs, and therefore not important. The truth is that all construction jobs are temporary. That's why we must continue to grow and provide a constant stream of new jobs so when one project is done, that crew can go to the next."
U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also praised President Trump's order.
“I am pleased years of illogical and political delays preventing completion of the Keystone pipeline have finally come to an end,” said Corker. “The Keystone pipeline is good for the economy and better for the environment than alternative methods of transporting the oil. Developing more of our domestic resources supports economic growth and the energy security demands of our country.”
The oil industry also weighed in, with the American Petroleum Institute (API) praising the "new direction" on energy by this administration.
"We are pleased to see the new direction being taken by this administration to recognize the importance of our nation’s energy infrastructure by restoring the rule of law in the permitting process that’s critical to pipelines and other infrastructure projects,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard.
NextGen Climate Action, a group founded by billionaire hedge-fund magnate Tom Steyer, blasted Trump's order, saying in a statement that “The Trump Administration is once again proving that it will always put corporate interests ahead of American interests."
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