The first procedural vote in the U.S. Senate on the Keystone XL oil pipeline is expected to come later today, although the future of the bill authorizing construction of the 1,200 mile oil pipeline through the central section of the country remains unclear.
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) expects his chamber will eventually approve the bill. However, Republicans are short the votes needed to overcome a veto threat from President Barack Obama. The Wisconsin Republican says that’s unfortunate, given the potential benefits the pipeline could have for consumers and the U.S. economy.
Johnson argues the nation’s recent economic improvement is partially due to lower energy prices, thanks to the increasingly available supply of cheaper oil. He believes approving the pipeline running from Canada to Texas is in the best interest of the U.S.
The Senator notes that the oil is still going to be extracted and moved somewhere, even if the pipeline is not built. He notes that a State Department study found Keystone would be the most environmentally friendly way to transport the oil.