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Jeff Miller: We Need The Jobs, It’s That Simple
January 23, 2012
In his latest newsletter, U.S. Rep Jeff Miller discusses the jobs and the Keystone XL Pipeline.
The following was submitted by Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Chumuckla for NorthEscambia.com:
Last week, President Obama took the extraordinary action of denying the application for construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline. In a move that would cost thousands of jobs by any measure, this Administration’s decision to block the pipeline shows they are out of touch with the message Americans have been delivering for more than a year – where are the jobs?
The Keystone XL project is a proposed 1,700 mile extension of an existing energy pipeline. It would provide a critical link from abundant petroleum supplies in Canada to U.S. refineries. When finished, Keystone is estimated to carry 1.4 million barrels of petroleum every day, significantly expanding the refining capacity of North American energy companies.
However, Keystone XL is more than an energy issue. It is a jobs issue. The Keystone XL Pipeline project is estimated to inject $20 billion of private sector investment into our economy. It would create 20,000 direct jobs and 118,000 more jobs from increased economic activity. These are not Republican talking points – these numbers were provided by 22 members of the President’s own party in an October 19, 2011 letter to the President asking him to approve the pipeline. It is undisputed the Keystone XL Pipeline would create jobs. For a President who mentions the importance of American jobs in almost every speech he gives, I am astounded that his words are not followed by action.
The President was clear about his reasons for denying the Keystone XL permit. He tried to put the blame on Republicans for rushing his decision. However, the Keystone XL project has already undergone an extensive, three-year review led by the State Department. A multi-agency process, the review studied the pipeline’s environmental, economic, and energy impacts. More than 25 meetings were held with interested parties on both sides of the issue. The State Department’s own Environmental Impact Statement found that Keystone XL would have no significant impact on the environment. So why would the President push his decision on the pipeline until 2013 and after the November 2012 election?
The Administration should not play politics with job creation and economic recovery. So, as part of the end of the year discussion on the payroll tax holiday, House Republicans were successful in passing legislation that required the President to make a decision on Keystone XL within 60 days. Three years is too long to wait for this important project, and pushing the decision off for more than a year is unacceptable. On Wednesday, the President made his decision. Unfortunately, it was the wrong decision.
The Administration had an opportunity to create jobs – not through trillion-dollar government stimulus, but through private sector investment. They had an opportunity to increase American energy independence. They had an opportunity to show they were willing to put economic recovery above politics. But they rejected it. The Administration is no longer just failing to act on job creation, it is actively preventing it. Incredibly, the President said during debate over Keystone XL that extending unemployment benefits would create more jobs than the pipeline project. Jobless benefits creating jobs? I don’t think so.
The President would be wise to listen to the advice given by the citizens who would be affected by construction of Keystone XL, advice highlighted in Democrats’ October letter: “We need the jobs, it’s that simple.”
Comments
30 Responses to “Jeff Miller: We Need The Jobs, It’s That Simple”
the decision to delay this pipeline further is not a good move on the part of the white house. At a time when jobs are a scarce commodity, not going through with a plan like this is a grave mistake and a major blow to middle class workers for whom this project would be their saving grace(http://eng.am/sogpoX). What we need more than ever really is a firm decision on this project so that we don’t leave people hanging. Let’s be firm in our choices so that people can move on to getting back on track.
Just keep printing , spend on military ,blame it on the other party , hope it holds until he is out of office.
Repubs and Dems are 2 heads of the same snake.
The real US debt is 200 TRILLION.
Prof. L . KOtlikoff.
REGARDING:
“The president is acting without authority. Take a look at my or”
You’re right, when responding I had just looked at the statement saying it was only the business of the states and the individual land owners not at “Obama’s denial of this permit shows – - – Why doesn’t the court hold him in contempt? ”
If I remember his explanation, Congress required him to approve the application within some number of days or show just cause why he didn’t. His response was that the number of days didn’t give him enough time to verify it was okay.
So you could look at it two ways:
He didn’t show just cause and is in violation of orders of Congress.
OR
He showed he didn’t have enough time to prove the safety and that constituted just cause. Some would argue the former case, he argued the latter.
Your main point is well made. Congress won’t stand up to him except under extreme cases and this isn’t one. They just care what is politically expedient.
As to ignoring judges’ orders, that has long standing going back to Jefferson who refused to enforce laws he considered unconstitutional because he considered that part of his duty as a check on Congress.
The president IS above the law. He can ignore any law because he can pardon any of his own actions. He only answers to two groups: Congress’ power to impeach him and the voters’ power to reject him. Even then all either group can do is remove him from office or not remove him from office.
That’s why it is a good idea to only elect presidents you trust, like Johnson, Nixon, Clinton.
David contemplating power
basically only limited by conscience
(if any)
my original post.
My point was the placing of the pipelines once inside the US.
Sorry, I fat-fingered the key board causing a premature postulation.
David, you are correct, except that congress hasn’t acted on this. The president is acting without authority. Take a look at my or
The placement of that pipeline is an issue for the 1) states and 2) the landowners in those states. It is the business of no one else…period.
US Constitution
Article I Section 8 – Powers of Congress
“The Congress shall have Power To- – - To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;”
International and interstate pipeline constitutionally makes it the business of the federal government. The president is charged with carrying out the orders of Congress, in this case deciding whether or not to allow the pipeline.
Ruling rightly or wrongly, it IS his business.
David for obeying the Constitution,
supreme law of the land
The Department of State in the US has no jurisdiction over the pipeline, either. Check your Constitution, please.
The point of this issue is free enterprise and capitalism. A private company wants to build a pipeline to move their product to the place of their choice. It matters not where the product is taken or to whom they want to sell that privately owned product to after it is made ready for market.
The placement of that pipeline is an issue for the 1) states and 2) the landowners in those states. It is the business of no one else…period.
It really doesn’t matter too much who gets this oil. If this project can put Americans to work and help stimulate our economy, I say go for it.
Jane, “So you folks out there against the Pipeline are willing to pay $5-$6 per gallon of gas when the mid east erupts again?”
Doesn’t matter where we get the oil, the commodities people are going to run up the price regardless of the reason… storms, mideast tension, etc… Ever wonder what they do with all that money they get from those increased prices when nothing really happens? You don’t see the prices drop very fast and never below what it was before the event that caused the rise… So, where does it go? In their pockets! Why would they ever give up a scam like that?
JIM W, “The less we have to depend on the Middle East the better off we are. They should build the pipeline period” … A bit of an FYI they are building it to the gulf coast to ship it out of the US… The oil is Canadian and not ours…
Most of those new jobs will be in Canada… So, if you’re ready for a move then go for it… If the construction works out anything like the GOlden Gate Bridge project that was suppose to bring jobs and help the steel industry, then China will be doiong most of the work like on the bridge…In the end, most experts believe that the most we can expect in the US in the way of permenant jobs is about 30… Money well spent! ha ha
As I recently saw on a bumper sticker…….
“Don’t blame me, I voted for the American.”
There have been all sorts of job numbers kicked around. From 20,000 to 5,000 direct jobs during the building of the pipe line and then less than 500 U.S. jobs after it is finished. Exon just had to pay a huge fine for an oil pipe line leak in the midwest, so leaks can happen. An exposed oil line is a sitting duck for any crazy who has a little C-4 or any explosive. We are shipping oil products from the U.S. now, so who would make the money? It’s like the oil sand project in Canada that is going to produce “low cost oil”. It’s odd that some of the oil wells in Santa Rosa were able to start pumping when the price of oil went up. Ref. the price of gas– check how much of what you pay is for gas and how much is taxes.
@ Rufus Lowgun I really would like to see a factual accounting of which your are speaking. In other words prove it! I think not I have not been able to find anything in writing to that effect. You as some of the others are using scare tatics and are merely speculating. For you to automaticly assume that someone is drinking the kool aid of the Republicans is at best extreme! Stick your head in the sand if you wish and we all will be awaking one day to a communist, socialist,or Islamic regime. So your answer is to sit back and do nothing??
One of the problems we have in America is being complacent, thinking everything is going to be okay because it always has been. Not true and if you try to choke the jobs off of the people who would have been employed by this project. And, the dollars that could have been generated by the pipeline or like projects you can rest assured we will not have a future.
If you enjoy that thing called freedom then you need to get on board with growth even if sometime you disagree. Don’t take it so personal. It is after all we the people, for the people, by the people!
The greatest thing about this whole thing is the fact we have the freedom to agree and disagree without some dieing or going to prison.
So respectfully I disagree with you on this matter.
The reason they don’t build it across the Rockies is the terrain. Remember the transcontinental railroad? The reason they want to ship it to Houston is b/c it is the largest refinery center in the world. Republican kool aid? Really?
How about Obama selling out our national security and jobs to the environmentalists.
The Gov. of Nebraska is a Republican and is against the Keystone pipeline.
Again, oil and gas have flowed over the aquifer for years. Put your head in the sand and no progress will be made. Republicans and Democrats are both against this project so get off the “Blame Republicans’ band wagon
And if you want to move to Ausrtalia, wemight be able to muster you up a one way ticket via slow boat. That is providing that Australia would want a liberal in their midst. Would be one less vote for Dictator Obama!
Only a Republican would argue that building a Canadian pipeline to ship oil to China is the right thing to do for America. Before you drink the conservative kool-aid on this one, ask yourself why Canada doesn’t build this pipeline across Canada to Vancouver instead of across America to the Gulf Coast.
The less we have to depend on the Middle East the better off we are. They should build the pipeline period. We need the jobs and we need the oil! The only reason the Middle East has any power whatso ever is because of the sales of oil to large countries like the USA! Take the money away from them and that takes their powers away. I say it is time for more countires to step up to the plate and start controling their directions more carefully.
It sure makes one ponder why he would deny this pipline. We all know there are other pipelines running all around in the US and so far because of regulations they have not been a major problem. I say bring on the pipeline we need it. Make sure and tell your politicians.
By the way David Green well said indeed.
So you folks out there against the Pipeline are willing to pay $5-$6 per gallon of gas when the mid east erupts again? I hope you are rich enough to pay that price for gas! Canada has been our ally for decades. The mid east has never been for America. They like it when we give them money, which we are now borrowing from China. Look at the economics, get your facts. There is already oil going through the Dakotas, and it has had no impact.
Amen David Green,
Haven’t been held hostage by Canada lately, every time someone in the middle east farts gas prices go up.
Well and David for more reliable oil sources.
You could have a point but you don’t, the oil coming from Canada would be sold on the market to the highet bidder, more likely China. It would guarantee nothing in oil to the United States except pollution and profit for big oil. Russia is the number 1 producer of oil. See you even buy the republican by line. It is a wedge issue fro the republicans to look like they care about you and they don’t. They don’t want you to have fair wages, they don’t want you to have tax cuts save them for the rich. You guys are like mind-less.
REGARDING:
“Most importantly the refineries are already at capacity, how will they possibly handle millions more barrels of oil.”
They may not buy so much from countries which support Islamic terrorists and mistreatment of women and minorities. Further, petroleum shipped in may be cut off by Iranian mines, Somali pirates, Gulf hurricanes, attacks or a trade embargo as has happened a few times.
Pipelines are more reliable than ships since they aren’t as bothered by storms, pirates, wars. Yes, they may have leaks. The one going under our property in Bluff Springs may eventually leak, hasn’t yet, but it’s only been a few decades.
Purchases from Canada are more likely to yield more trade with Canada and more jobs for Americans.
Thus assuring reliable energy supply is not a moot point. It doesn’t seem like a ruse. It’s actually part of concepts called “the common defense” or “the general welfare,” it protects us from attack, provides jobs, provides reliable fuel supply for things like ambulances, hospital lights,
Some folks oppose any use of fossil fuels because they are convinced we should immediately switch to alternatives. This idea is like saying they won’t marry unless they can marry Miss America or Mr. Universe. It might be nice (although not for them) but don’t hold your breath and don’t insist on continued reliance on unreliable resources.
I saw some others who complained that it would mostly benefits welders and pipe fitters who already have a low unemployment rate. Strange thinking, only let certain favored groups prosper.
David for the concept of pipelines
and doing what needs doing
There are refineries in the Midwest that could use the business, but the Canadians and oil interests in Texas want the pipeline to go to Houston so the oil can be refined and sold overseas. This oil could be refined in the Dakotas.
What we have is the Canadian government wanting to use our lands to market their products for maximization of profit. It has nothing to do with jobs for the American worker. Canada can contract with whomever they choose, and it may well be Chinese or Iranian workers who will build and maintain the pipeline.
People in the U.S. will derive little or no benefit from this, either in jobs or increased petroleum products available.
What is risked is a total degradation and destruction of the Ogalalla aquifer which is the source of water for most of the cities and farms between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains. If this is contaminated, it will mean the destruction of the agricultural regions in the plains states that tap into this aquifer for both irrigation and drinking water. We may well have to import most of our grains, etc from Brazil and China. People who live in this area won’t even have safe drinking water. One quart of gasoline will contaminate one million gallons of water. Think the BP oil spill underground in a contained water source distributed in sands and rock enclosed pockets, without microbes to clean it up. It will be just as bad and long term as if the ground water was contaminated with plutonium which would make it unusable for 10 00 years.
If any of these idiot, lying, and/or delusional Republican candidates is elected President and the country does NOT go into a state of total revolution, I’m going to try to emigrate to Australia. They want this country to keep them rich, privatizing gains while socializing losses at taxpayer expense. Meanwhile the rest of us (99.95%), as well as these blinded fools will have to bear the burden down the road. Please join the Occupy Movement and bring true democracy to bear upon the problems of clean energy (not fossil fuels), environmental pollution and degradation, etc. Otherwise this seventy year old man may have a long trip and difficult adjustment ahead in Australia.
I am a Pensacola native. In 1973 the Air Force brought me to Omaha Neto Strategic Air Command. I now drive motorcoach from Omaha to Denver, across Nebraska.
Nebraska residents have a strong vocal group, includingthe govenor, who oppose trhe Keystone pipeline. They are afraid of what the pipeline might do if a spill occurs over the “Ogallala aquifer.” This is despite the fact that oil and gas lines already cross the aquifer. I am for the Keystone pipeline. I feel that we should do EVERYTHING possible to rid ourselves of middle east oil! For you Bible haters, you will not want to hear that until the Lord returns there will be trouble in the middle east, The more we can do to not depend on their oil the better! The Keystone pipe line IS NOT all Canadian oil. There are large deposits of oil in the upper states that will also flow in that pipeline. This rouge against Keystone is the same as Floridians not wanting to drill for oil closer to shore, or thost that have moved to rural areas complaining about pig farms.
Isay, DRILL,TRANSPORT,Crossover to Natural GAS/PROPANE, Solar, Wind, or anything else to deny the middle east of their wealth. Get out of the “NOT IN MY BACKYARD” mentality.
The President of the United States of America has always possessed the right and the authority to permit pipe lines. The pipe line will go through the sand hills which filter the water for drinking for a lot of the states. Most importantly the refineries are already at capacity, how will they possibly handle millions more barrels of oil. It is a mute point because the Dept of State as not ruled on it yet. 1500 jobs is not enough to yahoo mountain dew over. Leave it to the republicans to take a mute point and turn into poison. Shame on you Jeff Miller.
Thank you Mr. Miller for saying what a great many Americans are saying! And look at it this way, it is one more assurance that people will NOT vote for Obama in the election! Maybe we can still salvage the Pipeline deal and the economy! Please keep working for us!!
The pipeline is just a rouse , it would have created * Canadian jobs. Sure a few American jobs during the initial setup, but after that it would be nothing but money sent to Canada.
Really, how many Americans does it take to maintain a pipeline once its complete? The only person that would profit from this is the Canadian Oil Company, thats not American jobs, thats more jobs in Canada!
Not to mention the land /environment destroyed to make it stretch across the USA
The oil lobby is highly behind this one , the USA should lead in clean alternatives and get away from oil.
The people spoke out against the pipeline and the president heard them.
Obama’s denial of this permit shows two things: 1) that he has overstepped, again, the Constitutional bounds of his office; and, 2) that Congress is not calling him on it and doing their Constitutional duties.
This pipeline comes under the jurisdiction of Congress. Either the House under the Commerce clause, or the Senate under the treaty article.
Mr. Miller, stop whining about what Mr. Obama is doing, he is out of bounds. Do your job, sir.
This is not unlike Mr. Obama clearly refusing to follow a judicial order in allowing drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Why doesn’t the court hold him in contempt?
Are they that intimidated by him or do they not understand their respective roles under the US Constitution?
Obama’s denial of the application clearly shows he doesn’t consider us Americans
.
Families are living in their cars because they have lost everything. There are almost as many homes for sale on most streets than there are filled homes – especially in cities like Detroit – probably more there, and he says NO to a project that could immediately employ 20 thousand?……and 118 thousand more jobs from increased economic activity?……..
I hope all who are unemployed are paying attention to this!
My vote in the next presidential election will be cast for whoever is running against Obama.
I’ve already emailed my Congressman thanking him for his support of this project – and other supporters in Washington also.