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resolution NO. _____________
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________
By Request of the ****
A resolution of the House of Representatives of the state of montana supporting the construction of the Keystone xl pipeline.
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 the state 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, the destruction of private jobs and capital as a result of the executive order to halt the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline is a taking based on the 5th and 14th amendments to the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, given the shortage of power recently experienced in Eastern Montana and the central and southern plains, the state should encourage every source of power, including fossil fuels carried by the Keystone XL Pipeline; 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 House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the 68th Legislature urge prompt congressional and presidential approval of 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.