shut down the Keystone XL ….

shut down the Keystone XL Pipeline project is devastating to Montana. Today, we heard from Montanans who invested millions in their businesses in anticipation of this project and the economic boost it would bring their communities,” Gianforte said at that time.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont, noted that he has worked to build the Keystone XL pipeline and bring its job and tax benefits to Eastern Montana for more than a decade. He urged the Biden Administration to reverse its decision to cancel the permit and come back to the table to sit down with stakeholders including TC Energy and Montana’s tribes to chart a path forward on the job-creating project together.

“I am bitterly disappointed to learn that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline will no longer be moving forward. I supported this project for years because of the good-paying jobs and tax revenue it would have created for the folks who live and work in Montana,” Tester said. “It’s frustrating that national politics killed a project that would have yielded big benefits for our state, but I am going to keep fighting to create jobs in rural Montana, ensure our energy independence and get our state’s economy firing on all cylinders.”

Although Roosevelt County wasn’t going to experience increased tax revenue directly from the pipeline, Roosevelt County commissioners noted that 27 Montana counties spanning from Phillips County to Fallon County were going to see significant impacts.

When Biden revoked the pipeline’s permit in January, Fort Peck Tribal Chairman Floyd Azure commended the decision.

“It’s been a long, hardfought battle,” Azure said at that time. “We’re glad it’s over, and just hope it remains that way.”

Azure said his largest concerns were possible contamination of both the Milk and Missouri rivers. He noted that these are the last water resources in this region.

“I have 30,000 people I have to worry about and whether they will get water,” Azure said.