Nieves: Keystone Pipeline would create a brighter future for our country

In his latest column, Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, expresses his support for the Keystone Pipeline.

Last week, the Senate gave its approval to HCR 37, which would urge U.S. Congress to support greater domestic development of North American sources of oil and approve the Keystone XL pipeline project. I was glad to offer my “yes” vote to this initiative, and with the Senate’s approval, the measure is now declared Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed, moving it to the governor for his approval. The Keystone XL project is an important issue that concerns the future of our country. The Obama Administration decided to delay its decision regarding the project until 2013, and in the meantime, those who support the project continue to fight for its full implementation.

Supporting the Keystone XL project would help ensure our country’s oil independence, improve our national security, reduce the price of gasoline, and create thousands of estimated new jobs. At a time when our nation is struggling with unemployment, Americans need those jobs. People want to have rewarding careers that will help provide for their families, and this project would help ensure that Americans have a solid roof over their heads and meals on the table. In addition, when you consider the high price of gasoline, it’s that much more difficult for families to live a comfortable life. In most parts of the country, the price of a gallon of gas is hovering near $4. As a result of high gasoline prices, families often cannot travel on vacations or visit relatives, which is sad to see, and the economy suffers, as many attractions see fewer guests.

More specifically, according to TransCanada (the company that proposed the project), the Keystone XL pipeline would:

• Create private sector investment of more than $20 billion in the U.S. economy — at no cost to American taxpayers (food, lodging, fuel, vehicles, equipment, and other construction supplies and services);
• Create nearly 20,000 construction and manufacturing jobs, which will increase the personal income of American workers by $6.5 billion;
• Generate more than $585 million in new taxes for states and communities along the pipeline route;
• Pay more than $5.2 billion in property taxes during the operating life of the pipeline; and
• Strengthen America’s energy security by increasing the supply of safe, secure and reliable oil from Canadian and American oil fields.

I understand that the Keystone XL pipeline project is a large undertaking and there are many aspects of the project to consider. However, the pros of this project outweigh the possible cons, and the project would create a brighter future for our country.