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Pipe Dreams? Jobs Gained, Jobs Lost by the Construction of Keystone XL

Pipe Dreams? Jobs Gained, Jobs Lost by the Construction of Keystone XL

Full Title:  Pipe Dreams? Jobs Gained, Jobs Lost by the Construction of Keystone XL
Author(s):  Cornell University Global Labor Institute
Publisher(s):  Cornell University Global Labor Institute
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

The purpose of this briefing paper is to examine claims made by TransCanada Corporation and the American Petroleum Institute that, if constructed, TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline will generate enough employment to kick-start important sections of the US economy through the creation of tens of thousands—perhaps even hundreds of thousands—of good, well-paying jobs for American workers.

This briefing paper raises a number of questions regarding the jobs claims promoted by the industry, questions that are serious enough to generate a high level of skepticism regarding the value of KXL as an important source of American jobs. With national unemployment levels presently (September 2011) around 9%, and the real unemployment figures considerably higher, jobs are desperately needed both to sustain families and to help the broader economy. However, it is our assessment—based on the publicly available data—that the construction of KXL will create far fewer jobs in the US than its proponents have claimed and may actually destroy more jobs than it generates.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

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