Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Biden administration demanding reinstatement of Keystone XL Pipeline permit
A depot used to store pipes for Transcanada Corp's planned Keystone XL oil pipeline is seen in Gascoyne, North Dakota, on Nov. 14, 2014 Credit: REUTERS/Andrew CullenTwenty-one states, led by Texas and Montana, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Biden Administration for revoking a permit for the long-disputed Keystone XL pipeline. The complaint, filed in a Texas federal district court by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, argues the president exceeded his authority in doing so, and that the decision rests with Congress. Biden canceled the pipelineโs permit on his first day in office, in an executive order that raised concerns about climate change. AdHe said the permit was inconsistent with his administrationโs economic and climate imperatives.โPresident Donald Trump granted a permit in 2019. In February, Paxton and 13 other attorneys general sent a letter asking Biden to reinstate the permit, citing the possible loss of thousands of jobs.
Dem Sen. Manchin asks Biden to reverse Keystone XL rejection
In a letter to Biden, Manchin said Keystone XL and other pipelines โcontinue to be the safest mode to transport our oil and natural gas resources, and they support thousands of high-paying, American union jobs.'' Manchin's comments follow similar remarks by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who said in an interview with โAxios on HBOโ that he wished Biden had not canceled Keystone XL on his first day in office. I know that product is still coming to the United States,'' Manchin told reporters last month. AdManchin's letter came as 14 Republican attorneys general sent a letter telling Biden his decision to reject Keystone XL "will result in devastating damage to many of our states and local communities. Even those states outside the path of the Keystone XL pipeline โ indeed all Americans โ will suffer serious, detrimental consequences,'' the GOP officials said.
Buoyed by Keystone XL, pipeline opponents want Biden to act
But pipeline opponents say the ruling means it is operating with an invalid permit. ENBRIDGE LINE 3Opponents of the Line 3 replacement pipeline in Minnesota are stepping up pressure on Biden. AdPearson said Biden should put the pipeline on hold and make sure a thorough environmental review is done. Enbridge Energy said Bidenโs decision on Keystone will have no impact on Line 3 or a similar Line 5 project in Michigan. AdPipeline opponents want Biden to publicly support Michigan Democratic Gov.