API: Section 526 threatens U.S. national security and jobs

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2015 ─ API today voiced support for the bipartisan bill led by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) to repeal Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 that could preclude the U.S. military from using crude oil derived from Canadian oil sands.

“Section 526 is bad for America,” said API Senior Director of Federal Relations Khary Cauthen. “Prohibiting the use of one of the most secure sources of oil – Canadian oil sands – jeopardizes our national security and simply defies logic. As American forces continue combat terrorists abroad, the Pentagon must have the versatility to secure and develop fuel from our strongest ally, Canada.

“The Department of Defense is the government’s largest consumer of fuels. If not repealed, Section 526 could increase fuel costs for our military and severely restrict the Pentagon's ability to get the reliable energy it needs to fight the war on terror. True national security rests on a secure, diverse fuel supply for our armed forces.”

API thanked the bipartisan group of Senators on their steadfast leadership on an issue that is vitality important to our country’s national security.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 625 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 25 million Americans.