The National Republican Congressional Committee called on 55 House Democrats today to support approval of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline to begin construction.

The Obama administration had put off a decision on the proposed 1,700-mile oil pipeline until after the 2012 elections while it studies alternative routes for the project, which would carry oil sands crude from Alberta to the Gulf Coast.

But late last month, Congress instituted a 60-day deadline for the administration to rule on a permit for the $7 billion project, included in an agreement to extend a payroll tax cut through the beginning of 2012.

According to the NRCC release, Democratic lawmakers including North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler are being urged to voice their support for allowing the project.

"The widely popular Keystone XL pipeline project would provide North American energy and potentially create up to 130,000 associated jobs, which is why Shuler should call upon President Obama to approve these high-quality jobs and reject radical activists who would gladly see hundreds of thousands of jobs destroyed," the release states.

Environmentalists have vigorously opposed Keystone XL, citing risks for future spills as well as greenhouse gas emissions generated by the oil-sands fuel it would carry.

Nearly identical press releases were also issued in the congressional districts of Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Sanford Bishop (Ga.), Tim Bishop (N.Y.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Bruce Braley (Iowa), Lois Capps (Calif.), Russ Carnahan (Mo.), Kathy Castor (Fla.), Ben Chandler (Ky.), David Cicilline (R.I.), Gerry Connolly (Va.), Jim Cooper (Tenn.), Jim Costa (Calif.), Mark Critz (Pa.), Peter DeFazio (Ore.), John Garamendi (Calif.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Brian Higgins (N.Y.), Jim Himes (Conn.), Ruben Hinojosa (Texas), Kathy Hochul (N.Y.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Rush Holt (N.J.), Steve Israel (N.Y.), Bill Keating (Mass.), Ron Kind (Wis.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Rick Larsen (Wash.), David Loebsack (Iowa), Jim Matheson (Utah), Carolyn McCarthy (N.Y.), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), Jerry McNerney (Calif.), Michael Michaud (Maine), Brad Miller (N.C.), Bill Owens (N.Y.), Frank Pallone (N.J.), Ed Perlmutter (Colo.), Gary Peters (Mich.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Chellie Pingree (Maine), David Price (N.C.), Nick Rahall (W.Va.), Loretta Sanchez (Calif.), Kurt Schrader (Ore.), Adam Smith (Wash.), Betty Sutton (Ohio), John Tierney (Mass.), Paul Tonko (N.Y.), Niki Tsongas (Mass.), Pete Visclosky (Ind.), Tim Walz (Minn.) and John Yarmuth (Ky.)