Friday 7 October 2011

US union say Keystone pipe is needed to help Americans

An American Union who represent those involved in the installation and servicing of piping system have urged the US Government to proceed with plans for the Keystone XL pipeline.

The Union argue that as well as being safe, the pipeline is vital for an American economy struggling through recession, as it is estimated the pipe will create more than 342,000 U.S. jobs, $6.5 billion in personal income for U.S. workers and produce $600 million in state and local taxes along the pipeline route.

Danny Hendrix, business manager for the union, Local 798 said: "There are skilled American workers who are ready to put their training and experience to work to ensure proper protection to the environment, rivers, and aquifers. This is the perfect project to help get our economy moving forward and to secure a source of energy from a dependable neighbor who is not subject to the turmoil that threatens our energy supplies from other parts of the world."

The 1700-mile, 36-inch crude oil pipeline could transport bitumen processed from oil in Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast.