Decision to Reject Keystone Pipeline Means Continued Unemployment in Construction, Manufacturing

AEM Statement on White House Announcement

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of Equipment Manufacturers today expressed its disappointment in the Obama administration's announcement that it will not approve the Keystone XL pipeline.  

AEM President Dennis Slater said, "At this moment in our history when so many Americans need jobs, we cannot afford to reject these types of expensive large scale infrastructure projects. The pipeline is expected to create more than 120,000 jobs, including more than 20,000 high-wage jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries where the unemployment rate is staggering. Those who continue to be unemployed do not have the luxury of putting off paying their bills until after the November election is over."

AEM joined other construction and business groups in an industry call to action letter last week that urged the administration to approve the pipeline citing the important job creation opportunity and  the ability for the completed pipeline to help provide a stable supply of North American energy to American consumers.  "The President's own jobs council said this week that now is the moment to go 'all in' on projects of this kind, so it's mind-boggling to get a negative decision like this one today," said Slater.

AEM urges the administration to reconsider its decision immediately.

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I Make America is supported by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and its 850+ member companies. We are joined by the memberships of like-minded associations, American business owners, and citizens and local elected officials across the nation. To learn more about I Make America, visit us at www.IMakeAmerica.com. View short videos of employees and small business owners around the country telling the real life stories of how manufacturing affects the national economy at www.ADayinAmericanLife.com. Keep up to date on the latest I Make America campaign news on Twitter @IMakeAmerica and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/IMakeAmerica.

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 850 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 capitals of Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Beijing and a European presence in Brussels.

SOURCE Association of Equipment Manufacturers