Residents and business owners affected by President Biden’s executive order to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline gathered in southwestern South Dakota on Monday and called on three Republican lawmakers to begin the project.
During his first days as president, Biden revoked the Keystone XL permit and halted construction of the long-controversial pipeline that would transport oil from Canada to Texas. While the move was celebrated by the mainstream media and environmental activists, the decision has a costly impact on the small-town affairs in the center of the country.
Rep. Dusty Johnson, RS.D. organized the meeting and was joined by representatives Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., and Kelly Armstrong, RN.D., who are sponsoring legislation to restart the pipeline.
Among those speaking at Monday’s event in Philip, SD, was Jeff Birkeland, CEO of West Central Electric Cooperative, which would have served pumping stations across the XL route.
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“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 convey the message that they are affecting lives here.”
Since the project was first halted in 2011, West Central Electric has lost $ 90 million in revenue. In addition, the local school districts lost $ 1.7 million in tax revenue and the state $ 4 million in tax revenue.
While these figures may not seem large compared to other places, Birkeland said it is a huge amount for his small community in downtown South Dakota.
“People have made improvements in their businesses based on what they thought and it’s gone,” Birkeland said. “Now they are stuck in the bag and they can not make their payments.”
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One of the people is Tricia Burns, owner of a wellness center in Philip. She says she lost 45 contracts within 48 hours of canceling the pipeline, earning a little over $ 3,000 a month in revenue.
Owning a gym in a city of just 800 people means there is not enough room for potential growth, Burns told Fox News.
“I’ve heard so many times over the last two weeks, ‘There are other jobs. It was temporary work – they knew it.’ There are absolutely so many points that we can argue, “she said.” However, there are so many points that are left out. “
Birkeland claimed that important information about the Keystone XL pipeline and TransCanada Energy’s commitment to green energy was overlooked or ignored due to the divisive political climate.
Since it was initially proposed more than ten years ago, the Keystone XL project has evolved to accommodate the push from North America to renewable energy. According to TC Energy, the pipeline would have worked with net emissions when it was commissioned in 2023, and it would be the first pipeline of its kind to be fully powered by renewable energy by 2030.
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“Trans Canada is committed to making this carbon neutral and putting all the wind and solar energy up to get their oil on the market – how can that be wrong? It just looks like a win-win,” Birkeland said .
Birkeland and Burns both expressed their hope for a possible revival of the project.
“I do not ask much, but I am at the point where I have to ask for help,” Birkeland pleaded. “I would like to meet with President Biden about this. I want someone to listen instead of everyone just saying, ‘No, it’s done. ”