NTU urges all Representatives to vote “YES” on H.R. 3, which would authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and bring with it tens of thousands of jobs in many sectors of the economy.
The pipeline would have the potential to deliver an additional 500,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada, our largest and most stable trading partner, injecting our economy with billions of dollars in additional activity. A January 2014 report from the State Department detailed that “construction contracts, materials, and support purchased in the U.S. would total approximately $3.1 billion,” with another $233 million that would be spent on construction camps for workers, altogether adding $3.4 billion to our GDP. The ongoing anemic economic recovery and stagnant wages make the Keystone XL pipeline project all the more urgent.
The pipeline has repeatedly cleared environmental and regulatory hurdles. The same State Department report echoed previous assessments, raising no significant red flags that should hinder the construction of Keystone XL. Further, the report pointed out that other transmission methods of oil from Canada’s oil sands could potentially create greater environmental risks. One alternative, moving the crude oil by train, posed a threat of increased likelihood of spills as well as a greater potential for “injuries and fatalities.”
Opportunities to safely bolster our energy-supply options should be embraced in order to bring this important project to fruition. Canada’s oil resources are going to be harvested and exported—whether to the United States or to our competitors.
Roll call votes on H.R. 3 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress and a “Yes” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700.
