Joe Manchin, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, plans to visit two sites in Alta Fort McMurray to discuss “North America’s energy security and how Alberta can provide more than its energy needs.” USA “, according to officials.  .
Frank Macchiarola of the American Petroleum Institute says the trip could force Biden to reconsider the move.
“What Senator Manchin says is that energy security is important to the United States,” Macchiarola said.  “This, at least, gives the administration a chance to reconsider what it did.”
Manchin’s office tells CTV News that “they will have full release after Senator Manchin’s visit, but not before.”
His visit comes as Americans struggle with rising gas prices and the White House seeks to fill an energy gap to replace banned Russian oil.
The United States has asked Venezuela and Iran to boost production and is reportedly working with Canada to boost imports, but not through new pipelines.
Mancin, a moderate Democrat who often clashes with his own party, urged Biden to reinstate federal permits to build the Keystone pipeline – a project that will transport thousands of gallons of crude oil from Alberta to Texas refineries.  Biden and the White House have rejected the idea.
Alberta Prime Minister Jason Kenney confirmed the upcoming trip, adding that Manchin also invited him to appear before the Senate Energy Committee.
“If we saw a message from Washington about the willingness to build another large pipeline, energy companies would respond by investing and expanding their current production,” Kenney said.
Canadian officials predict that domestic industries have the potential to “gradually increase” US oil and gas exports to 300,000 barrels per day, mainly by rail.
Kenney says that is just enough to affect US demand.
“Our message to the government is, ‘Help us help you displace the oil of a dictator, not just from Russia, but from OPEC,'” Kenny said.
Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, a supporter of the Keystone project, says the White House will not revive the pipeline because it does not want to upset the progressive Democrats.
“The administration will say it’s too late, because the administration will want to save face,” Cassidy told CTV News.
“Clearly, the economy, the climate, the national security and the energy mean that we have to go with Canada, not with Venezuela or not with Iran,” he said.