Imagine a project that could create 20,000 American jobs during construction, and as many as half a million longer-term positions. This project would employ hardworking Americans from many sectors of the economy and create growth and jobs in some of the states hardest hit by the recession. A broad, bipartisan group of policymakers, business leaders, and labor organizations support the project. And it would bolster America’s energy security.
You don’t have to imagine such a project, because it already exists. It’s called the Keystone XL pipeline. Unlike so many ideas to improve the economy, it’s a shovel-ready project.
Unfortunately, President Obama recently rejected the pipeline. Officials explained that while they weren’t opposed to the project overall, they weren’t comfortable with the relatively short timeline they had been given to make their decision.
Nevertheless, with this denial, Americans hoping for new jobs will have to keep hoping. With unemployment in the construction sector at over 16 percent, the building trades community is particularly disappointed.
The Keystone XL pipeline is a $14 billion, 1,661-mile long oil line designed to bring crude oil from Canada to the United States. Expanding on the existing Keystone pipeline, the completed project could increase movement of crude oil to about 1.1 million barrels into the U.S. each day, at full capacity.
Of the $14 billion projected to be spent on the project, about $7 billion would have been spent in six U.S. states stretching from Montana and South Dakota down to Texas.
According to a study by the Perryman Group, each of those states would get a healthy economic boost from the project, with Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska each seeing between $400-500 million in total added expenditures. And Oklahoma and Texas receiving an estimated $1.2 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively.
Construction of the pipeline would have also brought an economic boon to surrounding states — including right here in Indiana, where manufacturers already had contracts to provide materials for the project. Pumps, motors and other parts would have been built in the Hoosier state, creating new jobs in the process. With Indiana’s unemployment currently running at 9 percent, those jobs are desperately needed.
The Perryman Group also reports on the now foregone “permanent benefits” and major energy savings America’s economy was set to see. The report estimates that the project could produce an annual economic boost of $221 billion in additional spending and $64 billion in additional output for the economy.
And with a better economy comes more jobs. In two years, the project would directly create 20,000 jobs, and indirectly stimulate the creation of an additional 553,235 positions.
Jobs for skilled craft construction workers are in short supply right now. But the Keystone XL pipeline would have quickly created thousands of jobs for the building trades under a project labor agreement that had already been executed.
Mark Ayers, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department, explains the overwhelming disappointment, saying, “Our members had anxiously embraced the hopeful rhetoric of ‘We Can’t Wait’ only to be disappointed by an administration unwilling to take its own words to heart and approve this vital project.”
Indiana’s own Sen. Richard Lugar stepped forward in favor of Keystone XL, staunchly supporting the project and the jobs it would have created. If more policymakers had demonstrated such support, perhaps America’s unemployed would not feel so betrayed.
Fortunately, there is an explored middle ground that could satisfy the administration without depriving Americans of jobs. In their decision, the president’s personnel noted that their concerns were largely limited to the roughly 20 percent of Keystone that will run through the Sand Hills in western Nebraska and the Ogallala aquifer.
The rest of the pipeline was basically concern-free. It has already been thoroughly reviewed and found environmentally safe. So, in the interim between now and the final approval for the overall project, regulators should allow construction to start on those parts. There’s nothing else to study — and starting now will create the jobs union workers desperately need.
Troy Post is a cross-country pipeline welder for UA Pipeliners Local Union 798 in Indiana.
Flashpoint
FLASHPOINT: White House rejects Keystone XL: Sad day for U.S. workers
- Flashpoint
-
-
FLASHPOINT: Legislative session reflected Hoosier priorities
The 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly came to an end just a few weeks ago with the final passage of our state’s next two-year budget.
-
FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
-
FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
-
FLASHPOINT: Indiana lawmakers reinforced school safety mechanisms
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of my children. Every parent has felt that instant, apprehensive rush when their child plays too close to the street or falls down while playing soccer and it is our responsibility as parents to implement every safety mechanism we can muster to protect our kids.
-
FLASHPOINT: Lessons from the legacy media — get it right, first
Enough mistakes and maybe we’ll learn: When in doubt, leave it out.
-
FLASHPOINT: Hoosiers got steady hand in recent session
As the General Assembly began its work last November, as Speaker of the House, I pledged a renewed spirit of bipartisanship with legislators working together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s legislative session concludes, representatives from throughout the state — Republican and Democrat — have joined together to address those issues at the forefront of Hoosier minds: maintaining our state’s fiscal integrity, spurring job creation and expanding education opportunities for every Hoosier family.
-
FLASHPOINT: Time has arrived for overhaul of TV news
Former FCC Chairman Alfred Sikes gave an address in 1992 in which he claimed television news was too superficial and too focused on visuals.
-
FLASHPOINT: Fiscal cliff, Obamacare have already raised taxes enough
Our history is rich with stories of people who have immigrated to the United States for a chance at the American Dream. The American Dream, in its truest form, is the opportunity to achieve success by working hard and playing by the rules; to make it on your own and to say, “I earned this.”
-
FLASHPOINT: Expanding Medicaid coverage makes sense for Indiana
Since last summer’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act effectively gave states the option to expand Medicaid, policymakers across the country have debated if and how to extend health programs to millions of uninsured Americans.
-
FLASHPOINT: Improve public education, stop experimenting with it
In January, the four of us who serve as the Democrats on the House Education Committee outlined our hopes for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, particularly in joining with Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz to offer common sense solutions to improve the quality of education for our children. With the halfway point of this session past us, we remain optimistic that positive steps can be taken … but that optimism is tempered by the reality that education policies are being directed by a legislative majority that has a radically different agenda.
-
Healthcare law anniversary no reason for celebration
March 23 marked three years since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was signed into law, yet this is not an anniversary that deserves celebration.
-
FLASHPOINT: Defending state’s authority is attorney general’s obligation
The law of the land recognizes the authority of states to license marriage.
-
FLASHPOINT: Stability key for state’s future
Hoosiers have the unique luxury of being the fiscal envy of the nation due to the sound fiscal policies of the last eight years.
-
FLASHPOINT: House budget offers Medicaid solution for Indiana
This week, my U.S. House Budget Committee colleagues and I introduced a federal budget resolution for fiscal year 2014. Our budget is a responsible plan that stops spending money and balances in 10 years — largely through making key reforms to drivers of our debt like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
-
FLASHPOINT: Problem gambling in Indiana: A new understanding of community concern
The week of March 3 was designated as National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
-
FLASHPOINT: Eastern time in Indiana defies common sense
Nobody complains more than Hoosiers about changing their clocks. And there’s a valid reason — daylight-savings time in Indiana’s Eastern Time Zone is painful.
-
Praying for civil resolution to debate over gun control
Guns are lively ammunition for passionate debate these days.
-
FLASHPOINT: It’s not too late to expand health services
This week, state leaders euthanized the biggest, boldest Hoosier jobs proposal of the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
-
FLASHPOINT: You can’t go back again — and that’s OK
Our progressive colleagues have been telling us for years that the 1950s were a horrid time.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fierce urgency of now — nation needs to protect youth
The alcohol-fueled alleged serial rape of a 16-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates — not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others — points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety and forward development of youth.
-
FLASHPOINT: A pastor speaks out against Sullivan’s ‘traditional prom’
I am a pastor in Sullivan, Ind., and I am outraged.
Recently, two young students applied to walk the Grand March together in the school prom in Sullivan. -
FLASHPOINT: 0wning firearms is a First Amendment exercise, too
Following the hysteria generated by gun prohibitionists in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, a nationwide rush on gun stores began as citizens bought semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, handguns and ammunition, in effect “making a political statement” about proposals to ban such firearms.
-
FLASHPOINT: Maintaining the priority
Recently a newspaper article has been written about a change in the by-laws of the Indiana High School Athletic Association which speaks directly to attempted undue influence exerted upon students below the level of grade nine and their parents.
-
FLASHPOINT: The fairness of marriage
What is the current Indiana law concerning marriage? Our state defines marriage in a singular way — between a man and a woman.
-
FLASHPOINT: We ask state legislators to abide by their oath of office
All of us relish giving unsolicited advice to our elected representatives.
-
FLASHPOINT: Mentoring is having major impact on public education
While managing local utility services, Mike Martin found a new way to energize his community, and students are starting to benefit.
-
FLASHPOINT: Common Core standards should be common sense
Years ago, when state officials and education experts came together to create new model standards for schools, they probably never expected it to be controversial.
-
FLASHPOINT: Milestone year for Rose-Hulman
The Rose-Hulman campus traditionally quiets down this time of year, yet for me I sense a renewed energy from the phenomenal year just closing.
-
FLASHPOINT: ISU’s reasoning flawed in flight school planning
ISU and the taxpayers of Indiana and Vigo County are being led down a path of deception once again.
-
FLASHPOINT: Incessant attacks on Christianity by the ACLU
It is obviously apparent that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is continuing its onslaught against religious freedom in the United States.
- More Flashpoint Headlines
-
FLASHPOINT: Legislative session reflected Hoosier priorities
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Jersey Shore Open for Business
ShowBiz Minute: Pickler, Franklin, Potter
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Today in History May 24
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
