|
Print this page |
| |
|
Close this window |
I am deeply disappointed in President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone Pipeline. Today’s decision ensures that we will continue to be dependent on oil from the Middle East and Venezuela indefinitely. Today the President not only rejected the pipeline, but he rejected the thousands of “shovel-ready” jobs that come along with the pipeline’s construction.
Canada will continue to develop the oil sands, only instead of selling us the oil, they will send it to China.
The benefits of the pipeline are clear. Well over 1,000 American companies supply goods and services to Canadian oil sands and pipeline companies and the ripple effects are creating employment in numerous other industries. Keystone XL is expected to create 20,000 direct jobs during construction and 118,000 indirect and spinoff jobs. It will also contribute $20 billion of economic stimulus to the United States during construction. Every state will benefit economically from this activity.
Beginning the construction of the Keystone pipeline while Nebraska decides on routing is the smart decision. Construction should begin without further delay.