AEM cheers Senate panel's vote to move forward on Keystone Pipeline

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Equipment Manufacturers welcomed today's vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to approve legislation to allow for the long-overdue construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

"This legislation sends a strong, bipartisan message that it's finally time to begin building the Keystone Pipeline, a project that will create good manufacturing jobs and provide American industry with access to more affordable energy and the competitive edge the global economy demands," said AEM President Dennis Slater. "I strongly urge Majority Leader Reid to bring up this vital legislation for consideration before the whole Senate."

The proposed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline has been extensively researched by the Obama administration, and the State Department's own assessment of the proposed project found it would only minimally affect the environment. The project enjoys vast support from industry groups, organized labor, Democrats and Republicans alike.

"I especially want to thank Sen. Mary Landrieu and members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for their leadership on this issue," Slater added. "Today's vote moves us one step closer toward making this long-overdue project a reality."

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) - www.aem.org

AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 900 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.; Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.

SOURCE Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)