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IBEW Tells Congress: Time to Approve Keystone

November 17, 2014

The IBEW is urging Congress to back Sen. Mary Landrieu’s bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Photo credit: Arend

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is urging Congress to support Sen. Mary Landrieu’s bill to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

“At a time when job creation should be a top priority, the Keystone XL pipeline project will put Americans back to work and have ripple benefits throughout the economy,” said International President Edwin D. Hill in a letter to members of Congress.

The proposed $7 billion project would transport unrefined petroleum from the oil sands of northern Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico, creating with supporting more than 40,000 private sector positions.

Keystone has been awaiting federal approval since 2008.

"This has been a project that has lingered far too long,” Landrieu told the Senate Nov. 12.

The project requires the building of numerous pump stations, work that will translate into tens of thousands of electrical labor hours for IBEW members.

A project labor agreement is in place for Keystone’s construction.

The stations will also necessitate the construction of new high-transmission lines throughout the Great Plains and Midwest, which would put hundreds of line workers on the job.

“Although America is slowly recovering from the worst recession since the Great Depression, unemployment rates remain high, particularly in the construction industry,” Hill wrote in his letter. “To help create jobs, I urge you to vote yes and approve the Keystone XL pipeline.”