President Obama’s Directive to Expedite Portion of Keystone XL Pipeline

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2012 

 Contact:   Jay Lederer (202) 778-2626  
jlederer@iuoe.org 

Statement by
International Union of Operating Engineers General President James T. Callahan
on

President Obama’s Directive to Expedite Portion of
Keystone XL Pipeline

President Obama’s announcement today that he will expedite approval for a portion of the Keystone XL pipeline is an important, albeit long overdue step towards upgrading our country’s pipeline infrastructure.  In addition, it will create the kind of high-paying, skilled jobs that are so vital to our economy.  The Operating Engineers are hopeful that today’s action by President Obama will quickly translate into real work on the ground in Oklahoma and Texas.  Our members are among the most highly trained and skilled pipeline workers in the world.  Their expertise will ensure that Keystone is built right, built safe and built to last.

Thousands of American construction workers have been unemployed, waiting for the day when the pipeline would emerge from the mire of Washington politics.  While today’s action to expedite construction is appreciated, the Operating Engineers remain firmly committed to constructing the entire Keystone XL pipeline and continue to urge the House and Senate to push for a legislative solution for immediate construction of this critical project.

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The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) represents more than 400,000 members in 123 local unions across the U.S. and Canada, including operating engineers who work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors in the construction industry; stationary engineers in building and industrial maintenance; nurses and other health care workers; and public employees.

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