Canadian oil sands are a massive energy resource, predicted to hit production levels of 3.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2025.  Knowledgeable Energy Citizens understand and appreciate what that could do for our economy and national security. 

Sadly, not all politicians agree on the potential benefits. President Obama recently rejected the Keystone XL pipeline project in an effort to appease his radical environmentalist supporters, even though it would have meant 20,000 new, oil sands-related U.S. jobs.  Here’s how one  observer summed up his feelings on the decision.

In Eastern Montana, support for Keystone XL is strong. Even though some affected landowners have questions (that Keystone builder TransCanada is eager to answer), most Montanans want to see the pipeline project completed. Once it is in place, Montana schools stand to gain $80 million a year in tax revenue, while construction and ongoing pipeline operation would create much-needed, family wage jobs. The Billings Gazette reports on the ongoing issue.

 Of course, Nebraska is still central to the Keystone XL pipeline debate. Small businesses are worried about the lost economic boost they had been expecting from the pipeline. And Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry has introduced a bill that would take politics out of the equation by establishing a structured approval process. The American Petroleum Institute praises this effort by House lawmakers.

Energy Citizens are concerned. Ignoring the potential of North American oil sands hurts workers, students, families, business owners—just about everybody. Our nation’s leaders need to realize that.