WASHINGTON, September 19, 2013 ─ American Petroleum Institute President CEO Jack Gerard urged President Obama to finally approve the Keystone XL pipeline, noting that five years ago today the initial application for the project was submitted to the State Department.

“An anniversary of delay is not a call for celebration,” said Gerard. “Five years of review for a project that is in this nation’s best interest is unacceptable. Refining more Canadian oil at American refineries should be a no brainer. It will help displace oil from unstable parts of the world and enhance our national security. Americans overwhelmingly support building the Keystone XL pipeline.

“We urge the president to act now, and help Americans get back to work. After four comprehensive reviews, the State Department determined the pipeline is safe and that the project would create tens of thousands of jobs. It’s now time to build KXL. How much longer should Americans have to wait for the jobs and increased energy security that the Keystone XL project will bring?”

API is a national trade association that represents all segments of America’s technology-driven oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 550 members – including large integrated companies, exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms – provide most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers $85 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested over $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.