With public support for the Keystone XL project only growing, Oil Sands Fact Check today released a new video featuring the unscripted voices of labor union members and manufacturers that explain why approval of this project is so critical: Americans need these jobs.
Check out the video in our “Featured Video” section or through YouTube HERE.
From the video:
- Luke Bellsnyder, Exec. Director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers: “Between four and 16 jobs are created for every manufacturing job.”
- Jo Adkins, Local 1140 Construction Laborers: “Being a single mother, I have to provide the only income into our home and I like the idea that we will be getting our resources from our neighbors.”
- John White, Local 1140 Construction Laborers: “When the laborers are working, that creates jobs for everyone.”
The video ends with a call to action: “Get this approved. All our families need this job.”
A final decision from President Obama should come this summer. As a columnist for The New York Times noted, this decision “should be a no-brainer for the president.”
Full Script of Video
Text: The U.S. imports 8.9 million barrels of petroleum per day. One-fourth of those imports come from Canada
Voiceover: Big trucks equal big bucks. The drivers behind these dino-sized Caterpillar trucks make a healthy living mining bitumen in Alberta, Canada. Many are in their 20s and collect about $200,000 a year. Now, how many 20-somethings can say that? Not many- unless you are in the Canadian oil sands business.
Off-camera voice: “Well everyone on the pipeline makes a good wage.”
Luke Bellsnyder, Exec. Director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers: “Between four and 16 jobs are created for every manufacturing job.”
Jo Adkins (Local 1140 Construction Laborers): “Being a single mother, I have to provide the only income into our home and I like the idea that we will be getting our resources from our neighbors.”
Voiceover: There are currently 80,000 U.S. jobs associated with Canadian oil sands. That number could be much higher.
Text: The full Keystone XL line would create 20,000 manufacturing and construction jobs.
Off-camera voice: If the Keystone XL pipeline is built most of the workers constructing the pipeline in Nebraska will be hired locally.
Off-camera voice: “The pipeline would create thousands of jobs.”
John White (Local 1140 Construction Laborers): “When the laborers are working, that creates jobs for everyone.”
Off-camera voice: “This is a golden opportunity for us, the states that it goes through and Canada to help ourselves with energy security.”
Off-camera voice: “It has passed every Environmental Impact Study thus far. I see no negatives; it’s a great win for everybody.”
Unidentified Man: “Right now we’re running at 20-25% unemployed. Ready to get to work and need projects like this to keep us going and gives us an opportunity to help our families.”
2nd Unidentified man: “Get this approved. All our families need this job.”
Text: For every $1 the U.S. invests in Canada, nearly 90 cents are returned to the U.S.
Michelle Hill (Pipeliners Local 798 in Tulsa, OK): “I’m a pipeliner. My husband’s a pipeliner. We have a son and daughter that pipeline also. So it means a great deal for our family.
