US Chamber ramps up push for oil sands pipeline

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce rolled out an initiative Friday to build support for U.S.-Canada energy ties, especially a controversial proposed pipeline that would link Canada’s oil sands projects to Gulf Coast refineries.

The new Partnership to Fuel America arrives as environmental groups are placing political pressure on the Obama administration not to OK TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which needs State Department approval to cross the border.

The new partnership will be “comprised of American businesses and industries that understand the need for more energy in the United States and believe that Canada’s significant resources can help achieve that goal,” according to the Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy.

Keystone supporters call the Alberta-to-Texas pipeline vital to boosting U.S. energy security by expanding imports from Alberta’s massive oil sands projects.

The House approved GOP-backed legislation Monday — with 47 Democratic votes — that would require the Obama administration to make a decision on the project by Nov. 1.

But environmental groups, citing a string of recent pipeline accidents, say the project presents big risks, and more broadly they oppose oil sands production because it produces large amounts of greenhouse gas.

Matt Koch, a former lobbyist for the American Petroleum Institute who has joined the Chamber’s energy branch, will lead the new partnership that will promote the pipeline and Canada’s oil sands more broadly.

“Initially, we’ll be recruiting local chambers, civic organizations and business leaders in states that will benefit from construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Over the long term, we will be building a strong network of supporters in favor of North America energy development that will improve our energy security and create jobs,” said Koch, who also served in the George W. Bush administration.