FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                

March 24, 2017

USEA’s Worthington says Keystone XL good for North American energy security

Washington—U.S. Energy Association Executive Director Barry Worthington applauds President Trump’s decision Friday to approve the long-awaited permit required to build the Keystone XL pipeline.

In a statement issued Friday, Worthington said:

“President Trump’s decision to approve the Keystone XL pipeline is good for North American energy security, economic growth, and environmental protection.

“The approval of Keystone XL ends a lengthy political fight and shows Canada, our friend and neighbor, that the U.S. is a reliable partner and friend.

“The Keystone XL pipeline is good for the U.S. energy sector, and President Trump’s decision comports with his top energy priorities--to create long-term, high-paying jobs, reduce the cost of energy to Americans and reduce our oil imports from countries that are not our allies.

 “The U.S. currently imports nearly three million barrels of oil per day from OPEC countries at about $50/barrel. That is $150 million/day we send out of this country. That is an opportunity cost for our country.

“Replacing some of that oil with Canadian resources makes better sense, and it improves our negotiating power and diplomatic efforts worldwide.

“President Trump’s long-awaited approval of the Keystone XL pipeline also signals his focus on infrastructure expansion and meeting a growing global demand for energy. Energy production is a cornerstone of economic development. But delivery is crucial.

“A protracted permitting process, much of which has been politically driven, and grassroots opposition has led to unyielding protests that thwart infrastructure expansion, which is necessary to deliver energy to communities across the country, to citizens that rely on those resources to power their homes and vehicles.  

“USEA works with the U.S. Agency for International Development to help expand energy infrastructure in developing countries. We see first-hand the impact that aging infrastructure, or lack thereof, has on communities and on the daily lives of citizens.

“In 2015, the U.S. Energy Department under Former President Obama assessed the state of energy infrastructure and found it inadequate. That threatens our energy delivery, but it also threatens our national security. I believe expanding our energy infrastructure is essential to meeting our national energy objectives, including managing American energy resources in the best way possible.

“USEA applauds President Trump’s commitment to infrastructure expansion and Friday’s approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.”

If you would like to speak with Barry Worthington, please reach out to Dipka Bhambhani at [email protected]. Please follow USEA on Twitter: @USEnergyAssn