By Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph

Gas prices in Southwest Michigan are already approaching $4 a gallon.

Struggling families and local job providers need some relief at the pump.

There is a solution to meet our needs, reduce prices and also create jobs — but it is still awaiting federal approval.

The Keystone XL pipeline project can supply the energy to a recovering economy, reduce the amount of Middle East oil imports and create thousands of construction and manufacturing jobs.

Building it would be a good move for both Michigan families and workers.

I sponsored a resolution adopted by the Senate to urge the president and Congress to support the increased importation of oil from North American reserves and to call on the U.S. secretary of state to approve the new pipeline as part of a greater plan to drive down gas prices.

We must address America’s long- and short-term energy needs.

As we look at more sustainable energy sources, we must acknowledge that — even with new energy technologies and alternatives — our economy will remain dependent on oil for decades.

Much of the oil America uses comes from unfriendly governments that use our dollars for undemocratic, often dangerous purposes — including funding terrorism.

Once completed, the pipeline could replace roughly 40 percent of the oil the United States currently imports from the Persian Gulf and Venezuela.

My resolution urges the federal government to end the status quo that is hurting our economy, pocketbooks and national security.

While this project is about creating jobs for the thousands of skilled tradesmen looking for work, it is also about protecting the environment.

The pipeline could eliminate the need for 200 ocean tankers, which would result in reduced emissions equal to taking nearly 4 million cars off the road.

Let’s look to our Canadian friends to help put Michigan back to work, meet our energy needs and reduce the cost of filling up the family car.

By partnering with Canada and building the pipeline, we can do all that, while simultaneously making the world a safer place.

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.