Among the long list of destructive actions that Joe Biden plans to take on his first day in office is to rescind a federal permit which allows the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in the United States.
The Keystone XL pipeline is an $8 billion tar sands project that the Trump administration advanced, alongside the Canadian government.
Environmentalists are cheering, saying that this action taken by Biden would represent a huge victory for the planet and indigenous people.
“A huge victory for Lakota and Indigenous front liners and Water Protectors. None of this would have been possible without their sacrifices,” tweeted Nick Estes, a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and an assistant professor of American studies at the University of New Mexico.
CBC News reported Sunday that “the words ‘Rescind Keystone XL pipeline permit’ appear on a list of executive actions supposedly scheduled for Day One of Biden’s presidency.”
This is just one of many economically destructive environment-related actions that Biden plans to take via executive order.
Supporters of this action have said that it is just the first in a line of anti-fossil fuel actions that need to be taken in the U.S.
“This decision to halt the Keystone XL pipeline on day one in office sets a precedent that all permitting decisions must pass a climate test and respect Indigenous rights. We expect the administration to make similar announcements on Dakota Access Pipeline and Line 3. We celebrate this great victory and the powerful movement to keep fossil fuels in the ground,” said Kendall Mackey, Keep It in the Ground campaign manager for 350.org.
“By ensuring that Keystone XL is reversed, Biden is standing on the side of tribal nations, farmers, ranchers, and many communities whose livelihoods would be wrecked by this dirty pipeline,” Mackey continued.
Right-leaning Canadian politicians such as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney have made their outrage known concerning Biden’s decision. Kenney issued a statement on January 17 threatening legal action if Biden follows through on rescinding the permit for Keystone XL, which is owned by Canada-based company TC Energy. The government of Alberta committed around $1.1 billion USD to the pipeline project in March of 2020.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden may repeal the presidential permit for the Keystone XL border crossing,” Kenney tweeted.
