WASHINGTON, January 11, 2012 — The American Petroleum Institute along with more than a hundred industry organizations from across the country sent a letter to President Obama urging him to swiftly approve the Keystone XL pipeline.
"As the president has said 'we can't wait' to create jobs in this weak economy," said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. "President Obama needs to show he is serious about job creation. He can immediately put thousands of Americans to work by approving this pipeline. Our country needs this shovel ready project because it will create jobs, boost our national security, and spur economic growth. It's a win- win proposition. "
The letter to the White House states that "Canada is already our largest supplier of imported oil – almost 2.4 million barrels per day, or one fourth of our imports. With this proposed pipeline, our crude imports from Canada could reach 4 million barrels a day by 2020, twice what we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Enhancing our energy partnership with Canada will strengthen America's energy future."
"We should not pass up an opportunity to secure more stable supplies of energy for our growing needs," said Gerard. "After more than three years of exhaustive reviews it's time to build this pipeline. Keystone has the support of organized labor, mayors and veterans groups from across the country. Many Democrats and Republicans in Congress have spoken out in support of Keystone. We hope these voices will be heard. President Obama needs to do the right thing and approve this project," said Gerard.
API will also launch a new TV ad that will run in key states, starting this week, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio and in Washington D.C. Click
HERE for a preview of the TV ad.
API represents more than 490 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America's energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.