Introduced Version





SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___




DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION


     A SENATE RESOLUTION supporting the continued shift towards reliable and secure sources of Canadian oil.



YODER, TALLIAN




     , read first time and referred to Committee on








Introduced

First Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2011)


SENATE RESOLUTION


     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,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:



    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.