Washington – Business Roundtable (BRT), an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, today expressed disappointment that a series of common-sense, job-creating amendments to S. 1813, the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill, (or “Highway Bill”), were rejected by the Senate.  BRT specifically cited amendments that would:

• Require construction of the Keystone XL pipeline extension; and,
• Grant regulatory flexibility – and more time for compliance – on EPA's new industrial boiler MACT rule.

“BRT supports immediate approval of the Keystone XL pipeline as an important expansion of U.S. energy infrastructure that would enhance American energy security,” said John Engler, President of Business Roundtable.  “Keystone would directly create tens of thousands of new American jobs in the near term and aid in the responsible development of North American energy resources.  Continued delay is unnecessary and irresponsible.”

Engler also expressed disappointment that the Senate did not take the opportunity to require EPA to re-promulgate its proposed industrial “boiler MACT” rules to require more workable and achievable standards and to provide more time for compliance.

“The aggressive time frame for compliance with the new EPA rules will be extremely problematic given that they affect more than 200,000 industrial boilers and process heaters.  This is a prime example of the need for smart, flexible regulations that take into consideration the harmful economic impact including job losses that often results from over-regulation,” Engler said.