Ohio Petroleum Council Applauds Pipeline Vote
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Petroleum Council is applauding the Ohio General Assembly's passage of a resolution urging the federal government to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The resolution passed the Ohio House Wednesday with an overwhelming 90-7 affirmative vote. The Ohio Senate approved the measure last week. It now goes to the U.S. State Department for consideration.
“The White House has an opportunity to approve the pipeline and create thousands of good paying jobs today,” said the executive director of the Ohio Petroleum Council, Chris Zeigler. “Keystone XL will increase Ohio’s GDP by $9.6 billion over the next 25 years, according to Canadian Economic Research Institute. We urge the Obama administration to move quickly on this important issue.”
Zeigler praised the leadership of Keystone XL resolution sponsors, co-sponsors and committee chairs in both legislative chambers. In the Ohio Senate, the resolution was sponsored by Sen. Cliff Hite and supported by Sen. Bill Seitz, chairman of the Public Utilities Committee. In the Ohio House, the resolution was sponsored by Rep. John Adams and supported by Rep. Mike Dovilla, chairman of the House Policy and Legislative Oversight Committe.
“Ohio’s legislature has spoken with one voice on this issue,” said Zeigler. “They understand the oil and natural gas industry offers Ohio families a game-changing opportunity for economic prosperity. Ohio legislators also know the Keystone XL pipeline will generate government revenue in the state and enhance the nation’s energy security. We hope our national leaders follow suit.”
In 2012, Ohio’s oil and gas industry created more than 38,000 new jobs and projections indicate the industry will create over 266,000 additional jobs by 2035.
OPC is an arm of the American Petroleum Institute, which represents all segments of America's oil and natural gas industry. The trade group says the industry supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7% of the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Ohio Petroleum Council.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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