API: House energy and transportation bill enhances America’s energy security

WASHINGTON FEBRUARY 16, 2012 - The American Petroleum Institute calls on the House to approve legislation that expands domestic oil and natural gas production and approves the Keystone XL pipeline.š This bill strengthens America’s energy security through greater access to North American energy resources.

“The new tensions in Iran should send a clear signal that we need a better North American energy strategy,” said API President & CEO Jack Gerard. “More domestic energy and more Canadian oil sands will enhance our energy future and at the same time create thousands of new American jobs.

“Our energy destiny is dependent on smart policies,” said Gerard. “If we are allowed to produce more domestic oil and natural gas, and get more Canadian oil sands by building the Keystone XL pipeline, we can create hundreds of thousands of jobs, strengthen our energy security and generate billions in government revenue.

API gave special thanks to House policymakers for making America’s energy security a top priority. Numerous polls show that the majority of Americans supports increased access to North American energy resources.

“We cannot control world events, but we can be in the driver’s seat when it comes to increasing our supply of stable energy. It’s time to embrace our vast energy resource and take control of our energy future.”

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.