Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Troy Balderson joined colleagues in introducing legislation today in the House of Representatives aimed at reclaiming Congress' decision-making authority over federal permits for cross-border energy pipelines.

"It's time for Congress to step up and take back its powers from the Executive Branch," said Congressman Balderson. "Pipeline shutdowns have dire consequences for our economy and jeopardize American energy security. This bill takes an important step toward reining in executive overreach related to pipeline permits and ensures that such sweeping policy changes are debated and approved by Congress."

On his first day in office, President Biden signed an executive order revoking a federal permit that halted construction on the Keystone XL Pipeline, eliminating 11,000 American jobs. The Protecting International Pipelines for Energy Security (“PIPES”) Act prohibits the Executive from unilaterally revoking permits for the construction or operation of cross-border energy infrastructure facilities.

The introduction of the PIPES Act follows last month’s confirmed reports that the Biden Administration was gathering data on the impacts of shutting down, yet another major pipeline, Enbridge Line 5. In response, Congressman Balderson joined 12 House colleagues in a letter sounding the alarm on the destructive consequences of shutting down Line 5, prompting a walk-back from the White House.

"Across this country, hardworking families are facing skyrocketing heating costs this winter, and further constraining American energy will only make the crisis worse," said Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07), the lead sponsor of the PIPES Act. "Our international energy infrastructure should not be subject to the whims of an Administration that has repeatedly hurt America's real-world energy needs. Congressional approval should be required before the President unilaterally cancels a permit and blocks energy supplies that keep our homes warm and grow our economy."

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