TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING UNITED STATES PRESIDENT JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR. TO RECONSIDER HIS REVOCATION OF THE PRESIDENTIAL PERMIT PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE

BODY
WHEREAS, despite the advent of renewable energy, oil continues to be a critically important energy source in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States is the largest consumer of petroleum in the world and must continue to rely on oil to remain economically competitive; and
WHEREAS, the United States currently imports more than half of its petroleum from foreign countries, which can contribute to difficult geopolitical relationships; and
WHEREAS, greater energy independence can therefore strengthen our economy and protect our national security; and
WHEREAS, the Keystone Pipeline is an oil pipeline system in the United States and Canada, running from Alberta, Canada, to locations as far as Illinois and Texas; and
WHEREAS, three phases of the Keystone Pipeline have been constructed, but the fourth phase, known as �Keystone XL,� has not yet been completed; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would start in Alberta, Canada, run through Montana and South Dakota, and end in Nebraska, where it would join an existing Keystone pipeline; and
WHEREAS, the Keystone XL pipeline would facilitate the transportation of American-produced crude oil and support energy independence; and
WHEREAS, in November 2015, United States President Barack Obama denied a regulatory approval necessary for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline; and
WHEREAS, in March 2017, United States President Donald J. Trump issued a presidential permit that allowed the project to continue; and
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2021, United States President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed an executive order revoking the previously issued presidential permit, citing environmental concerns; and
WHEREAS, construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would create over 10,000 jobs and support more than 42,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide; and
WHEREAS, indeed, due to the substantial number of jobs that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has eliminated, the creation of new jobs is critical; and
WHEREAS, the pipeline would be a major economic contributor to the U.S. economy, estimated at $3 billion, and generate significant property tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the Keystone XL pipeline would increase United States energy security and help stabilize fuel prices; and
WHEREAS, at the same time, the pipeline would have a minimal impact on the environment, as documented by five separate environmental impact statements that contain more than 20,000 pages of scientific research; and
WHEREAS, it is well-established that pipelines are the safest way to transport crude oil, and the Keystone XL pipeline�s environment impact statements have found that the pipeline would be safer than any other crude-oil pipeline in the United States; and
WHEREAS, to create jobs, stimulate the economy, and promote energy independence, this Board wishes to urge President Biden to reconsider his revocation of the presidential permit previously issued for the Keystone XL pipeline,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges United States President Joseph R. Biden Jr. to reconsider his revocation of the presidential permit previously issued for the Keystone XL pipeline.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the President of the United States and the Members of the Florida Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s federal lobbyists to advocate for the action in section 1, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2021 Federal Legislative Package to include this item.