[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 5679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2673]



[[Page 5677]]

Vol. 77

Friday,

No. 23

February 3, 2012

Part IV





The President





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Memorandum of January 18, 2012--Implementing Provisions of the 
Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 Relating to the 
Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 5679]]

                Memorandum of January 18, 2012

                
Implementing Provisions of the Temporary Payroll 
                Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 Relating to the 
                Keystone XL Pipeline Permit

                Memorandum for the Secretary of State

                The Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 
                requires a determination, within 60 days of enactment, 
                of whether the Keystone XL pipeline project as set 
                forth in the permit application filed on September 19, 
                2008 (including amendments) (the ``Keystone XL pipeline 
                project'') would serve the national interest. The State 
                Department had previously explained, on November 10, 
                2011, that it was seeking additional information 
                concerning whether that project served the national 
                interest, as necessary to grant the permit. Based on 
                its experience and in order to consider relevant 
                environmental issues and the consequences of the 
                project on energy security, the economy, and foreign 
                policy, the State Department indicated that its review 
                could be complete as early as the first quarter of 
                2013.

                I have determined, based upon your recommendation, 
                including the State Department's view that 60 days is 
                an insufficient period to obtain and assess the 
                necessary information, that the Keystone XL pipeline 
                project, as presented and analyzed at this time, would 
                not serve the national interest.

                Accordingly, by the authority vested in me as President 
                by the Constitution and the laws of the United States 
                including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, 
                and in furtherance of Executive Order 13337 of April 
                30, 2004 to the extent compatible with this memorandum, 
                I direct you to submit the report to the Congress as 
                specified in section 501(b)(2) of the Temporary Payroll 
                Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011 and to issue a denial 
                of the Keystone XL pipeline permit application.

                This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.

                You are hereby authorized and directed to publish this 
                memorandum in the Federal Register.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    Washington, January 18, 2012

[FR Doc. 2012-2673
Filed 2-2-12; 11:15 am]
Billing code 4710-10-P