Gerard and Ayers: Building on oil ties with Canada would create needed jobs in U.S.

           In this commentary, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, Jack N. Gerard, and the president of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, Mark Ayers, says that Canada is the largest supplier of imported oil for America and they will provide even more as they develop their oil sands resources. The Keystone XL Pipeline project, when completed, will bring Canadian oil to refineries in the Gulf Coast, which will replace millions of oil barrels imported from somewhere else. The Canadian Research Institution are expecting the oil sands development will create more than 342,000 jobs in America between 2011 and 2015 and generate an estimation of $34 billion to U.S. GDP in 2015.Out of 47 states, almost 1,000 companies are suppliers of materials, equipment, training or inspection services to support Canadian oil sands production operations according to the analysis by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

          

          They fully support to develop all sources of energy, but it will take a while to come since the reality demands that oil and natural gas plays a critical role in our economy. Even if we’re to turn the Canadian resources at our border away, with the increasing global demand, they will find some other places to sell their oil. In addition, many skilled refinery and construction jobs will be sent somewhere else. More of Canada’s oil will be processed by the U.S. refineries if the project were to be complete. Jack and Mark urged the administrators to approve of this project for the American jobs and energy security.