WASHINGTON, DC - House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) today applauded the passage of H.R. 4348, the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012. The legislation passed with two key provisions from the Energy and Commerce Committee: requiring approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and providing for the safe management and reuse of coal ash. Upton issued the following statement on the bill's passage:

"Today, the House took a stand for jobs and affordable energy. For too long, President Obama's policies have put American jobs, our economy, and our energy security at risk. Today, we tell the president enough is enough. If he won't lead, Congress will. The legislation we passed today will protect thousands of jobs from the administration's dangerous overreach, prevent higher energy costs, and put our nation on a path toward greater energy security.   

"Families and business across the country are desperate for relief from high gas prices, and still the president refuses to act on the Keystone XL pipeline. Americans know we need more energy supplies to help bring down prices at the pump. Canada stands ready to send us their vast energy resources, but President Obama continues to say "˜no.' Mr. Terry's bill, which the House approved for a second time today, will ensure the pipeline gets built by taking presidential politics out of the process. This pipeline is a win-win for American jobs and energy security, and Congress will do whatever it takes to see that it is built.

"Congressman McKinley has been a champion throughout the 112th Congress to ensure coal ash is safely and responsibly managed without sacrificing jobs. The amendment adopted today is necessary to escape the costly repercussions of EPA's heavy-handed approach to regulation, which could put as many as 300,000 jobs at risk and drive up electricity rates. Mr. McKinley provided a commonsense alternative that will protect the environment, jobs, and energy affordability. Just like when the bill passed the House, today's amendment received strong bipartisan support - this time advancing be voice vote - demonstrating a strong likelihood we could see this job-saving measure become law.

"I thank my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their work on this important piece of legislation. I am proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we keep fighting for jobs and American energy solutions."

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