Animas High School Model Senate

Committee: (EPW)

Principal Authors: Mitch McConnell

(Vivi Heinrich), Ted Cruz (Josh Jaques),
John Barrasso (Molly Zink)

Bill No: 1/2015

Submission Date: 12/13/2015

Title of Bill:
Keystone XL Pipeline in Favor of Energy Independence

BE IT ENACTED BY THE ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL MODEL CONGRESS

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Preamble: Whereas the Keystone Pipeline XL is a crucial step in aiding the United
States of America to become energy independent by extracting gas and oil and
transporting it on directly from North American soil, since the U.S. consumes over
seven million barrels more per day than it produces, since the U.S. is dependent on
Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Iraq for 80% of its crude oil, since
developing the pipeline will allow the production of 20,000 jobs for Americans,
since the pipeline will generate $20 billion in economic impact in the U.S., since
the current transportation of crude oil by truck and railway are more costly, less
safe and less environmentally friendly.
SECTION 1: TransCanada Corporation Keystone Pipeline, L.P. shall be authorized
to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the extension to the pipeline and cross
border facilities.
SECTION 2: Construction and operation shall be keeping with environmental
regulations and recognizes the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact statement
regarding the pipeline issued by the Secretary of State in January 2014 to fully
satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and any law that requires
federal agency consultation or review, including the Endangered Species Act of
1973.

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SECTION 3: Establish special committee to oversee environmental issue regarding

the pipeline within the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous
Safety Administration (PHMSA) by
Sub-SECTION A: Assuring the safety of stakeholders by establishing
standards.
Sub-SECTION B: Inspecting and enforcing compliance.
Sub-SECTION C: Recognizing and addressing risks.
Sub-SECTION D: Advocating statutory changes.
SECTION 4: TransCanada Corporation is required to privately fund the pipeline.
SECTION 5: Oversight by state and federal agencies will be financed by special
excise taxes on crude oil moved through the pipeline.
SECTION 6: This bill shall go into effect 91 days after passage and pipeline
construction must begin within 1 year after passage of bill.