Pipeline Backers Keep Up The Fight

Waiting on pipe dreams is a literal term when some groups refer to the Keystone XL Pipeline. Members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are in this category, and this week they will be traveling around 900 miles along the proposed pipeline to have what they're calling a lost opportunity tour.

Energy Institute Vice President Matthew Koch explained that they've spent years working on getting the pipeline project approved, and that there would be tremendous benefits to the community. The group hitting the road this week started at the Canadian border and made its way to Glasgow on Monday, Sept. 15.

“We're identifying businesses, organizations and communities that will benefit,” Koch said. “It's the six-year anniversary since the project permit.”

While they drive the route they'll stop to talk to businesses representatives and and other groups and hear theirs takes on the project. They stopped by the chamber of commerce in Glasgow and also visited with Two Rivers Economic Development. Koch explained that they would be looking to gather stories and share the message in Washington, D.C.

During their trip, they'll be blogging and uploading video along the way, traveling the distance in one week.

The last Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project was the fifth one to be completed, and Koch said that the report showed several benefits. The EIS that was released last winter stated that the pipeline would cause less of an impact to the environment than railroad and trucking.

Koch explained that property taxes and funds for employee camps would create several economic benefits. Valley County would have two worker camps planned if the pipeline were to pass through. It's said that at least $7 million, maybe more, would be raised in taxes from the project.

Koch also said 65 percent of the nation supports this project. Thousands of jobs would be created, and it would take an opportunity from oil that will developed no matter what occurs in Canada.

“We're using this opportunity to mark what's happening, about lost opportunities for these communities,” Koch said.

When asked about those who would oppose this project along the way, Koch said that there was a lot of misunderstanding about the project. He said that Canadian oil is still finding ways around the pipeline by moving oil by railcars, by barges and by trucking product. He explained that the smaller communities may be overlooked, and that they were hoping this trip would give some of those stories a voice.

Koch dropped off information stating that the pipeline would would generate $767 million of economic activity in Montana. In this state, 285 miles of the pipeline would travel through it – which adds up to be nearly a third of the project.

During the first year of operations the pipeline is estimated to generate close to $26 million in state property taxes, according to the group's information.