FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2013

Hudson votes for jobs, energy, and a “better future for all Americans”

WASHINGTON-For over four years, construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, a $7 billion private-sector infrastructure project that will create thousands of jobs and bring greater energy security to America, has been tied up in regulatory review by the Obama Administration. Today, the House voted to clear out the roadblocks preventing construction of the pipeline. U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after voting for the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3):

“Back home, two of the biggest things we worry about are jobs and rising gas prices. Construction of the Keystone XL pipeline will give us a stable and secure source of oil so we can bring prices down at the pump, and it will create 20,000 jobs immediately and an additional 100,000 over the long term. Today’s vote is another example of how serious the House is about creating jobs and securing American energy independence. If only the President would stop playing politics and join us in our efforts to create a better future for all Americans.”

Keystone XL Fast Facts:

• According to the Department of Energy, Keystone XL would be able to move up to 830,000 barrels of oil per day. This represents about half the amount the U.S. imports from the Middle East.

• TransCanada estimates it will spend $7 billion in the U.S. to build the pipeline and 20,000 jobs would be directly created from the pipeline’s construction.

• Keystone XL would generate much needed tax revenue in several states and collectively boost Gross State Product by billions of dollars.

• By delaying approval of the pipeline, President Obama is providing China with an opportunity to out-compete the U.S. and gain access to Canada’s rich oil supply.

• Several labor unions have endorsed the project and criticized the president’s decision to reject American jobs.

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