_____________ joint resolution NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana URGING PROMPT CONGRESSIONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL FOR THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE.

WHEREAS, the state of Montana, counties, and school districts will benefit substantially by an increase in the property tax base when the Keystone XL Pipeline is approved and completed; and

WHEREAS, the Certificate of Compliance granted by the Department of Environmental Quality in 2012 for the Keystone XL Pipeline states that "the Project will generate long-term property tax revenues for the counties traversed by the pipeline that will last for the life of the Project. The Project will generate approximately $63 million in annual property tax revenues in Montana"; and

WHEREAS, the selected location of the pipeline through Montana and the conditions imposed by the Certificate of Compliance granted by the Department of Environmental Quality minimize adverse impacts on the environment, landowners, and affected communities; and

WHEREAS, significant infrastructure improvements, including powerlines and road and bridge improvements, will be built and paid for by TC Energy; and

WHEREAS, Montana's Congressional Delegation supports the approval of the pipeline; and

WHEREAS, Montana's Governor Greg Gianforte supports approval of the pipeline.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the 67th Legislature urge prompt congressional and presidential approval for the Keystone XL Pipeline.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the Montana Congressional Delegation.