Press Releases

Little Rock, Ark. – Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) organized a press conference at Welspun’s headquarters featuring local businesses and workers who have been harmed by President Joe Biden’s Executive Order halting the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“On inauguration day, President Biden pledged unity and called for Republicans and Democrats to work together for the benefit of all Americans. In his first ten days, the president signed over 40 executive orders and actions, including revoking the permit of the Keystone XL Pipeline in a political move to undo President Trump’s efforts to create jobs for forgotten American workers and promote U.S. energy independence. Instead of upholding his message of bipartisanship and unity, President Biden quickly turned to partisan progressive politics. The decision to revoke the permit of the Keystone XL Pipeline has slashed thousands of jobs across the country, including hundreds right here in central Arkansas at Welspun,” said Rep. Hill. “Already struggling from the pandemic, Welspun is now forced to lay off a large percentage of their workforce to accommodate President Biden’s far-left agenda and satisfy the president's progressive special interests supporting a ‘Green New Deal’. I would echo Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s statement calling this decision a ‘disappointment’. If President Biden wants unity, stripping Arkansans of hard-earned jobs amidst a pandemic is not a step in the right direction.”

“The Keystone XL pipeline is a sensible project that bolsters our economy, strengthens our nation’s energy supply and modernizes our infrastructure. President Biden’s executive order canceling the pipeline’s permit is costing hardworking Americans well-paying jobs and will increase our country’s dependence on oil from regions around the world,” said Senator Boozman (R-AR). “It is also creating uncertainty in Arkansas as we are seeing with Welspun and the Port of Little Rock. This decision is not the end of the project. I will continue to advocate for legislation to advance the construction of this pipeline and support jobs in Arkansas.”

“President Biden’s decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline puts hundreds of Welspun jobs in Little Rock at risk, stalls investment, and raises energy costs—all in the midst of a pandemic,” said Senator Cotton (R-AR). “The Biden Administration should prioritize Arkansas workers and families rather than ideological environmental groups.”

“We appreciate TC Energy who helped us sustain more than 600 jobs, after a mass layoff of 400 associates in April, 2020, by awarding us major share of KXL pipeline manufacturing,” said Rajesh Chokhani, Chief Operating Officer of Welspun Tubular. “It will be very difficult for us to sustain these jobs since the project is on hold. All our business partners – Rail Road, Off Loader, and Port Authority are directly impacted due to hold on the project. Green renewable energy is important and we all should take responsibility to work on it for our future generation to come, however, it should not be at the cost of present jobs and well-being of fellow Americans.”

“President Biden’s executive order to revoke the permit of the Keystone XL Pipeline will take jobs away from hard-working Americans who are already struggling during the economic uncertainty created by COVID-19. After facing unprecedented obstacles in production throughout 2020, this decision comes as a devastating blow to Arkansas’s manufacturers' workflow and employment capacity. Local businesses will be forced into making significant work adjustments and personnel reductions to compensate for the unexpected challenges they now face,” said Jay Chesshir, President and CEO, Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We are grateful to Congressman French Hill and leaders in Congress who are promoting policies that encourage job growth and a steady economic recovery. We encourage the Biden administration to consider the livelihoods of those Americans who are searching for financial stability to provide for their families amidst a global pandemic and vague economic outlook.”

“This project seemed to be a blessing and answer to prayer at a time when our company and many others like us needed it most.  Unfortunately, due to recent decisions made by President Biden with the revocation of the Keystone XL permit, we now have lost out on months of work and millions of dollars in revenue,” said Mike Nunnenkamp, Executive Vice President & COO, Dun Transportation & Stringing Inc. “All of our employees are hardworking Americans from all over the country who show up early and leave late to make sure the job is done safely, with quality, and with the American pride our country was founded on.  Without the Keystone XL project, all of these employees have lost their jobs and that valuable opportunity to provide for their families.”