Bill Text: IN SR0054 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Supporting the continued shift towards reliable, secure sources of Canadian oil.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 6-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-04-11 - Second reading: adopted voice vote [SR0054 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SR0054-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting the continued shift
towards reliable and secure sources of Canadian oil.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting the continued shift
towards reliable and secure sources of Canadian oil.
Whereas, The United States is still many years away from
ending its dependence on non-renewable resources, despite
the recent focus on renewable energy. In order to fuel our
economy, the United States will need more oil and natural
gas, while also requiring additional alternative energy
sources like ethanol and other renewable energy sources;
Whereas, The United States currently depends on foreign
imports for more than half of our petroleum usage. As the
largest consumer of petroleum in the world, our dependence
on foreign oil has created difficult geopolitical relationships
with damaging consequences for our national security;
Whereas, Canadian oil reserves are vast and are second
only to Saudi Arabia, using current measurements and
technology. Oil sands now account for more than half of
western Canada's total oil output;
Whereas, A recent study by the U.S. Department of
Energy found that growing Canadian oil sands importation
by the United States has the potential to substantially reduce
the U.S. dependency on sources outside of North America;
Whereas, Canada is a friendly neighbor with whom the
United States has an excellent trading and political
relationship. Canada sends more than 99 percent of its oil
exports to the United States, the bulk of which goes to
Midwestern refineries. Canadian oil sands provide greater
fuel supply reliability and reduce the risk of supply
disruptions to consumers;
Whereas, Oil companies are investing huge sums to
expand and upgrade refineries in the Midwest and elsewhere
to make gasoline and other refined products from the
Canadian oil derived from oil sands;
Whereas, The expansion and upgrade projects will create
over 7,600 new construction jobs over the next five years and
$635 million in value added to Indiana's gross state product
(GSP);
Whereas, The same money used to buy Canadian oil will
likely later be spent directly on U.S. goods and services, as
contrasted to the money sent to hostile oil-producing
governments later used to further anti-democratic agendas;
and
Whereas, Supporting the continued shift towards reliable
and secure sources of Canadian oil is of vital interest to the
United States and the state of Indiana: Therefore,
SECTION 1. The Indiana Senate supports continued and increased importation of Canadian oil sands.
SECTION 2. The Indiana Senate urges Congress to support continued and increased importation of Canadian oil sands.
SECTION 3. The Indiana Senate urges Congress to ask the United States Secretary of State to approve the TransCanada Keystone Coast Expansion pipeline project that has been awaiting a Presidential Permit since 2008 to reduce dependence on unstable governments, improve our national security, and strengthen ties with an important ally.
SECTION 4. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Indiana Congressional delegation.