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Jack Gerard, American Petroleum Institute, weighs in on what President Obama’s reelection means for the fate of the Keystone XL Pipeline project.
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Wanted to project has been in limbo since President Obama.
Rejected in January but now -- -- -- -- action many including Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper say they're optimistic -- -- soon get done.
Joining us is Jack turns CEO of the American Petroleum Institute -- last you read out -- -- -- Are you optimistic that now the pipeline will get done now that the re election is over.
Well I think we're hopeful and what I mean by that is the president is committed that he's pro jobs and growth as we heard -- just a few moments ago.
Keystone XL pipeline will generate 20000.
Jobs almost immediately.
We think it's a no brainer just like prime minister harper has said.
So we think -- be a good early indication that the president's serious about job creation and growth rate and the approval of the keystone XL pipeline we'll take -- so quickly.
So you need that sounded like code for -- we -- to do it and we sort of don't think he's going to I mean outward hope your hope all.
It sounds like you want it but you're not -- has he done anything to make you think he's gonna go down that road.
Well let me put in this context you know I think everyone was shocked including some of he -- his key supporters and organized labor.
When he denied the keystone XL pipeline last year.
So I'm not putting the ban on either side of that I just know what's good for the economy.
What's good for job operation.
And frankly this'll be the first real test.
Of his all of the above energy strategy if he's really for what he said he's four he will approve the keystone XL pipeline.
OK so has he said or done anything any actions that make you think he's going to -- it is there anything that you can point to and say.
Here it looks like maybe he'll -- it.
Well he approved the southern route you know from Cushing Oklahoma of the golf.
And he's indicated that was the first step in this process.
He's implied that once the election was over that he would improve the nor I approve the northern route from Canada into the United States.
I'm really giving the benefit of the doubt in the short term.
But I'll tell you this'll be a key test that's a rather he's serious about energy security -- job creation or not and hopefully it'll come within the next few months.
So that would imply that he thought he would lose votes to be approved the pipeline in the north and maybe he would lose the environmentalist do you think he has it was all about politics and that he has the political.
Cover now.
To go ahead with it.
-- -- -- It depends on how he's assessing that politically what I mean by that does he feel like he needs to appease those.
That believe they got him elected.
Or does he need to go to the American people are the American people overwhelmingly three -- -- almost support keystone XL pipeline its approval.
So I think the question as to the president.
Are you gonna go back to pure partisan politics.
Or you gonna take the high road and support jobs and growth as you mentioned just a few moments ago which is the focus of the American people.
But it's like from what you're saying that politically it would have made sense for him to prevent before it -- -- the majority the American people as you say wanted it that it would create jobs that the unions wanted it.
It was at whatever reason he didn't do -- before to -- seems like it would still be in place so I don't know why we will be -- Can change.
Well I -- And that's a good question conventional wisdom -- conventional political thinking would tell you should have been approved before the election because the people's number one issue was jobs and growth.
Some people believe now he's crossed that threshold he's been reelected.
That he can make the right decision now.
We're anxious to see what he says but were hopeful he will approve it.
I mean we have all the pieces in place to have a lot of domestic energy here between fracking in between shale in this pipeline let's hope that it happens Jack -- thanks so much.
Thank you always good to talk to you.
