Majority of American voters believe ongoing KXL delay hurts U.S. energy security and economy

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Sep 17, 2015, 11:44 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept.17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A majority of U.S. voters of all political persuasions agreed that the years of Keystone XL delay have hurt our energy security and economy, according to a new poll conducted for API by Harris Poll. API Downstream Operations Senior Manager, Refining and Oil Sands Cindy Schild outlined the poll results for reporters this morning:

"As we mark seven years since the initial permit application was filed for the Keystone XL pipeline, 67 percent of American voters said failure to act on KXL has hurt our economy and energy security. Sixty-eight percent support building the project and 66 percent are more likely to support a candidate who supports approving Keystone.

"Delaying the pipeline continues to be a missed opportunity for the thousands of hard-working men and women in the labor industry. The 42,000 jobs and the $2 billion in wages that could be made building Keystone remain out of their reach because this president refuses to make the right decision.

"Five of his own administration's reviews have determined the project to be safe and environmentally sound, yet the administration has turned its back on our closest ally and trading partner in favor of professional activists who are advocating a 'leave it in the ground' approach to energy. It's ironic that the U.S. would strike a deal to allow Iranian crude onto the global market while refusing to give our closest trading partner, Canada, the most efficient access to U.S. refineries. This foot dragging is an assault on American workers. It's politics at its worst."

The nationwide telephone poll, conducted by Harris Poll, among 907 registered voters also found that:

83 percent believe a president should not have the sole power to decide national energy infrastructure projects.
79 percent believe U.S. foreign policy should support Canadian oil at least as much as Iranian oil.
78 percent believe building Keystone XL would help create jobs in the U.S. and keep energy dollars here in North America.

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.

Methodology for Keystone XL poll

The study was conducted September 10-13, 2015, by telephone by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute among 907 registered voters across the country, with a sampling error of +/- 3%. A full methodology is available upon request.

"What America is Thinking on Energy Issues" is a public opinion series provided by API, offering data to inform policy discussions and ensure policymakers and others know Americans' perspectives on key energy issues.

SOURCE American Petroleum Institute