Sierra Club Response to TransCanada Suspending its NAFTA Complaint Over Keystone XL Pipeline

Washington, DC -- Today, TransCanada announced that is has suspended its $15 billion NAFTA complaint against the U.S. over the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline. The project, which was rejected by President Barack Obama, was recently revived by Donald Trump.

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:

“TransCanada’s attempt to use a corporate trade deal to sue its way to constructing the Keystone XL pipeline may be going away for now, but NAFTA rules continue to empower corporate polluters to sue the U.S. government in private trade tribunals over protections for our air, water, and climate. We must overhaul our approach to trade -- including NAFTA -- beginning with stripping the ability of multinational firms to use trade tribunals to boost their profits at the expense of people and our planet.

“Today’s announcement does little to change the fact that the Keystone XL pipeline remains a dirty and dangerous proposal that serves only TransCanada’s interests -- not the American people’s. It was rightfully rejected and it should remain so.”

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