Political | Process

White House says restarting Keystone pipeline wouldn’t address ‘problems we’re having currently’

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• The White House on Wednesday said it has “no plans” to restart construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, despite saying that all options were on the table in addressing the record-high gas prices as Russia’s war against Ukraine rages on.

• Americans are experiencing the highest gas prices since the 2008 financial crisis, with the national gas price average reaching more than $4 per gallon – the highest average to date, according to AAA.

• President Biden on Tuesday announced a ban on all imports of Russian oil, gas and energy to the United States, targeting the “main artery” of Russia’s economy amid Putin’s war on Ukraine.

• During remarks from the White House Tuesday, though, Biden warned Americans that the ban would cost American families.

• “Putin’s war is already hurting American families at the gas pump since Putin began his military buildup on Ukrainian borders,” Biden warned. “And with this action, it’s going to go up further. I’m going to do everything I can to minimize Putin’s price hike here at home in coordination with our partners.” 

• On Wednesday, though, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said restarting construction of the Keystone XL pipeline was not one of the options on the table.

• “If we’re trying to bring about more supply that does not address any problem,” Psaki said. “The pipeline is just a delivery mechanism – it’s not an oil field, so it does not provide more supply into the system.”

• When pressed further on whether restarting the pipeline is something the White House is considering, Psaki said: “There’s no plans for that, and it would not address any of the problems we’re having currently.”