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By Chris Brown

90 kilometres so far

Kenney meets with Keystone XL workers near Oyen

Oct 9, 2020 | 3:03 PM

OYEN, AB – Premier Jason Kenney was near Oyen this week meeting with community leaders and the workers constructing the Keystone XL right-of-way in the area.

“The construction of Keystone XL is all about jobs, the economy and pipelines,” said the premier in a release. “It was great for me to see first-hand hundreds of Albertans working hard on KXL, thanks to Alberta’s investment that finally got construction underway. Pipelines are critical to our recovery from the global recession, and KXL shows our determination to fight for and build our economy’s future.”

Workers in numerous trades have strung more than 90 kilometres of pipe along the Keystone XL right-of-way since work began in July.

TC Energy estimates that apart from the company and its prime contractors, project construction activities are currently being supported by about 30 Alberta-based subcontractors, including local and Indigenous-owned businesses.

Employment income during construction in Canada is an estimated $1.6 billion over two years.

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“It’s an exciting time for the special areas and the communities along the path of the KXL pipeline. With the initiation of construction this summer, there has been a much-appreciated boom in our local economy,” said Jordon Christianson, chair of the Special Areas Board.

Quick facts

• The Keystone XL pipeline is forecast to deliver up to 830,000 barrels per day of Western Canadian crude oil from Hardisty to Steele City, Neb., where it will connect with existing facilities to reach U.S. Gulf Coast refiners, meeting critical needs for transportation fuel and other life-enhancing products.
• A total of 269 kilometres of pipeline and five pump stations will be constructed in Alberta over the next two years.
• It’s estimated the project will generate $30 billion in tax and royalty revenues for current and future generations of Albertans.
• The project is expected to be in service in 2023.