Pipeline Rejection Leaves Jennings Man, Others Looking For Work

The fallout continues from Wednesday's rejection by President Obama of an oil pipeline that was to be built across mid-America, and still might be.

Thursday, January 19th 2012, 7:49 pm

By: News On 6


JENNINGS, Oklahoma -- The fallout continues from Wednesday's rejection by President Obama of an oil pipeline that was to be built across mid-America, and still might be.

The President acted on the State Department's recommendation to deny a permit to a Canadian company that would build the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to the gulf coast, passing through Oklahoma on the way.

01/18/2012 Related Story: Obama: No on oil pipeline, more review needed

A Jennings man was counting on the Keystone for a job.

"I'm an inspector, a certified welding inspector," said Wesley Gann.

The 71-year-old had a 9 month contract to inspect the pipeline, but his job was put on hold in November when word began to spread that President Obama would not approve a much needed permit for the pipeline.

"[Obama] has put, not only myself, but many a people in a bind. Not having work to provide food for their children, for their home, and meet their obligations to the bills that they have," Gann said.

TransCanada says despite Wednesday's announcement, it's still fully committed to the pipeline and plans are underway to keep everything on schedule. It also plans to reapply for that permit.

Gann says what most people don't realize is that the workers who build pipelines usually provide their own equipment, for him it was this brand new truck.

Now he's stuck with monthly payments, no job, and no prospects.

"I've contacted different inspection companies to see if they have any pipeline work going on, and it seems like there's been a hold on everything to see what the President is going to do about the Keystone Pipeline," he said.

President Obama said he wasn't rejecting the pipeline on its merits, only on the fact that its environmental impact can't be measured by the deadline set by Congressional Republicans.

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