API: No more excuses White House should approve Keystone XL

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2012 ─ The American Petroleum Institute is challenging President Obama to immediately approve the entire Keystone XL pipeline now that TransCanada has submitted a new route in Nebraska.

“The stars are aligning for America’s energy future and President Obama should make the right choice now and approve the entire Keystone XL pipeline,” said President and CEO Jack Gerard. “The president’s concerns about the sensitive Sand Hills area of Nebraska have been addressed. There are no more excuses. Mr. President, let’s get this energy and job creating project started now.

“A true ‘all the above’ energy strategy should include more oil from our reliable and stable energy partner, Canada," said Gerard. “Keystone XL would bring upwards of 830,000 barrels a day of Canadian oil from Alberta to U.S. refineries in the Gulf. Bringing more Canadian energy to the market will send a signal to the markets that help at the pump is on the way. The president should not delay any further on this important issue.”

This week the Nebraska governor made building KXL a top priority when he signed into law a bill that allows the state to restart its review of the new pipeline route. Yesterday the House passed a bill expediting the approval of the entire pipeline which has been thoroughly reviewed for more than three years.

“More American energy together with more Canadian oil and domestic biofuels could make the U.S. energy self sufficient in transportation fuels in just 12 years,” said Gerard. “It’s an energy goal the president should strive for if he is serious about an ‘all the above’ energy strategy.”

API represents more than 500 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.