06.09.21

Grijalva Welcomes News of Keystone Pipeline Termination, Thanks Native American and Environmental Activists Who Fought Dangerous Pipeline for Years

Washington, D.C. – Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) released the following statement following the news that TC Energy, the Canadian company behind the Keystone XL Pipeline, will terminate the project.  

“The rushed approval of the Keystone Pipeline by the previous administration was a terrible idea,” Chair Grijalva said. “I’m grateful for the tireless efforts of Native American communities, environmental justice groups and advocates that fought this dangerous pipeline for years. This is their victory. The fact that the developer pulled the plug on the project is another example of how the fossil fuel industry is not a viable investment for the future energy needs and security of our nation. Actions taken by the Biden-Harris administration to revoke the permit for Keystone XL and advance clean, renewable energy will help our country transition to a sustainable energy future and fight climate change at the same time. This is a win for the American people and I will continue advancing forward looking energy policies that will benefit our nation and spare communities and our environment from harm.” 

Grijalva has been a leading voice against Keystone for years. He stood in fervent opposition to the Trump administration’s rushed efforts to advance this pipeline. In Feb. 26, 2014, Grijalva also published an op-ed in the New York Times urging then-President Obama to reject the proposal. He has led opposition on Capitol Hill through hearings, events, statements on the floor of the House of Representatives, public solidarity with Native American leaders, filing information requests with federal officials, highlighting Keystone contractor conflicts of interest, and calling for a Government Accountability Office investigation of the State Department approval process. Grijalva has authored a steady stream of op-eds demanding full transparency and an honest accounting of the pipeline’s environmental and cultural impacts, including one in 2017 for Indian Country Today.