After the House approved the construction of the
Keystone Pipeline on Wednesday, 24 Republican governors have written to President Barack Obama urging him to sign the legislation and not go through with his widely expected veto.
"As governors, our foremost priority is to grow and strengthen our state economies," said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts in a statement.
"We can achieve that in the states and throughout the country by building the Keystone XL pipeline. The President has the power to create good-paying jobs and bolster our nation's energy security right now with a simple stroke of a pen. For those reasons and many others, we strongly support that this project must move forward."
In the letter, the governors asked the president to reconsider his decision to veto the pipeline saying that there will be significant economic and energy security benefits both for the states along the route and for the country as a whole.
"The pipeline would not only constitute a boon for our economy, but also for our energy security. Many of our states are at the forefront of America's energy boom, producing more alternative energy, oil, and natural gas than ever before," they wrote.
They quoted analysis from the State Department predicting that 42,000 jobs would be created and noted that the pipeline would pump approximately 830,000 barrels of oil a day to U.S. refineries, expanding access to a "more stable and affordable energy supply from one of our closest friends and allies," referring to Canada.
The governors added that since the introduction of the proposal in 2008, the project has been reviewed extensively and found that it would not have any significant environmental impact.
"With one stroke of a pen, you have the power to give thousands of Americans the shot at a good-paying job that will help them provide for their families and get ahead in a tight economy.
"Approval would also demonstrate a sincere interest from your Administration in building bipartisan support for a truly all-of-the-above energy policy, and strengthen our economic relationship with Canada," they said.
"We hope you will take into account the will of the vast majority of Americans who support this project, including our constituents, and sign legislation approving the pipeline when it reaches your desk."
The governors who signed the letter are: Doug Ducey of Arizona, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Nathan Deal of Georgia, Butch Otter of Idaho, Mike Pence of Indiana, Terry Branstad of Iowa, Sam Brownback of Kansas, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Paul LePage of Maine, Phil Bryant of Mississippi, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Brian Sandoval of Nevada, Chris Christie of New Jersey, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Pat McCrory of North Carolina, Jack Dalrymple of North Dakota, John Kasich of Ohio, Mary Fallin of Oklahoma, Nikki Haley of South Carolina, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Greg Abbott of Texas, Gary Herbert of Utah, Scott Walker of Wisconsin, and Matt Mead of Wyoming.
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