THOMAS CATENACCI CONTRIBUTOR Major trade unions including North America’s Building Trades Union and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which en
Throughout his campaign for president, Joe Biden promised Americans that his green energy policies would “create millions of good-paying jobs.” During stump speeches and debates, Biden assured Americans that by transitioning the country away from fossil fuels, workers in these industries will be able to assume new roles in our new “clean” economy.
All of this conjures images of oil and gas workers setting down their equipment in the tumbleweed-filled fields of the Permian Basin, then picking up a solar panel to install on a nearby roof, or hoisting themselves high above the ground on a wind turbine.
The idea that fossil-fuel workers can effortlessly move into a new job in renewables is overly simplistic and ignores the diverse and technical skills in America’s energy workforce. But perhaps most importantly, it ignores the significant pay gap between the sectors.
Has the Honeymoon Already Ended Between Biden and Trade Unions over Keystone XL?
It didn’t take long. On his first day in office, President Biden revoked the federal permit granted by Donald Trump for the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would bring 800,000 barrels per day of Canadian oil through Montana and South Dakota to link up with existing pipelines in Nebraska. No less than three trade unions expecting to provide some of the 10,000-plus jobs to build the pipeline (initial work was already employing 1,000) have expressed anger and betrayal over this move by the new president, whom they had strongly endorsed.
Demonstrators including Native Americans protest the Keystone XL pipeline. | Nati Harnik/AP
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s made it official yesterday. He yanked, effective immediatel, the federal construction license for the remaining section of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline from Alberta through the U.S.
Even before Biden took the oath of office at noon on Jan. 20, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, citing D.C. lobbyists, reported Biden would cancel the Keystone permit on his first day in office. He did so late that afternoon, as one of 17 executive orders.
News reports added Biden is also cancelling the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit for another controversial project, the Dakota Access Pipeline, on grounds that it both endangers Missouri River drinking water and that it traverses sacred Native American lands.