WASHINGTON, D.C.—Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, issued the following statement today regarding President Trump’s announced Executive Orders on accelerating infrastructure:
“For too long, private infrastructure investment has been held hostage by government interference driven by fringe interests. Today’s Executive Orders on the Dakota Access pipeline and Keystone XL pipeline demonstrate that we finally have an administration that is serious about putting American energy to work for the entire economy.
“The Keystone XL pipeline was under review for an unprecedented nine years and the Dakota Access pipeline was 90% completed when both projects were stopped in their tracks for political purposes, sending a chilling signal to investors around the world. These two projects will create good American jobs and improve access to affordable energy.
“Other Executive Orders signed by the President today are a recognition of how lengthy and burdensome the regulatory and permitting process has become for critical infrastructure and manufacturing projects. We are hopeful that these reforms will provide the certainty and timeliness required for capital investment.
“We look forward to a renewed focus on building much-needed energy infrastructure and stand ready to assist in getting projects underway.”
