U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-East Moline, broke ranks this week to vote for the Keystone XL Pipeline, a controversial project for environmentalists but one that will support union jobs.
The $5.3 billion project by TransCanada Corp. to pipe tar sands oil from Canada to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast is awaiting approval from the State Department.
The U.S. House passed a bill in support of the pipeline for the seventh time on Wednesday.
The proposed legislation would allow a section of the pipeline to go-ahead without presidential approval but is unlikely to make any headway in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Rep. Bustos was one of 19 Democrats who voted for the bill, which was approved by a 241-175 vote.
"I supported the construction of the Keystone Pipeline during my run for Congress, and I continue to support it today, because it will lead to job creation, economic activity here at home and a decrease in our dependence on Middle Eastern oil," she said.
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The pipeline has the support of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 in Rock Island and of Deere & Company. Tom McCune business manager of Local 25, said the pipeline could have a "trickle-down effect" on jobs for pipe welders in the Quad-Cities.
But environmental groups like the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society are opposed to the pipeline, arguing that it would pose huge risks for the environment.
Rep. Bustos said it was important that Keystone be developed in a "responsible way" with input from communities the pipeline will pass through.
U.S. Rep Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon, voted against the Keystone bill.
"There is a way to move forward if safety and community impact conditions are met, and if it acts to lower gas prices here at home," he said. "However, it is deeply unfortunate that House leadership put forward a political bill that has no chance of being signed into law."
The State Department is expected to issue a report on the pipeline in the summer and is reviewing the project because it crosses the border with Canada.
