Keystone Pipeline Debate Back to Blog
President Obama now claims the proposed 1,700 mile Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to Texas would only create 2,000 temporary construction jobs and less than 100 permanent jobs. The pipeline’s developer, TransCanada, disputes the President’s claim as to the construction positions and believes as many as 13,000 construction jobs are at stake. In March, Obama’s own State Department reported 3,900 initial construction jobs would be created and up to 42,000 indirect jobs would be created from the project. Who knows where the President comes up with his new figures, since no one in the Federal government backs him up. The $7 billion pipeline has been a contentious issue for over two years. The oil and gas industry, along with several labor unions, support the project. Certain environmental groups oppose it. But, with the United States needing every job it can find these days, why would anyone in our own government downplay such a significant opportunity?