Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie says US presumptive democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is using a stance against the XL Keystone pipeline to shore up sagging popularity.

On May 18, the Alberta Government expressed disappointment in reports of Biden's promise to cancel the presidential permit for Keystone if elected.

"He's having trouble getting traction because of sexual misconduct allegations and COVID-19, so he's out trying to create some controversy, change the dynamic, get himself in the media while also speaking to his base," says MLA Guthrie.

Guthrie believes the arguments Biden presents make no sense whether you look at it from a business or an environmental point of view.

Keystone is also a job creator for both Canada and the US.

"Global demand is set to rise to 2050, so Biden advocating the use of foreign oil doesn't make any sense. You're going to be using that from oppressive reigns."

He says Gulf Coast refineries are designed to use heavy oil from Canada and the only alternative would be to import products from Venezuela, where Guthrie says people are suffering under President Nicolas Maduro.

He says using pipelines to ship raw product is far more environmentally conscious. 

Guthrie says Biden was part of an Obama administration that opposed Keystone.

"They were supported by lobbyist groups that were from the rail industry. So it's not surprising Biden and Obama were opposed to Keystone XL because it supported their pocketbook."

Guthrie believes it's best to stay the course on the pipeline project that is already underway in some areas.

"Let it play out, get all the approvals, and just go about doing business as usual."

On Mar. 31, the Alberta Government announced a $1.5 billion investment in the pipeline project to accelerate construction.