Toby Mack, president & CEO of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama’s interview with the New York Times in which he dramatically understated the job creation potential of construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

"It’s sad that President Obama ignores his own senior advisors’ careful economic analysis of the job creation potential of Keystone XL, and instead chooses to parrot what he knows are purposeful misrepresentations of pipeline opponents promoting ideological extremism rather than America’s best interests. His own State Department has determined that the Keystone XL pipeline will create significant economic opportunity along with many thousands of good jobs throughout the economy to support the construction of this vital new and needed energy source.

The State Department has found that the Keystone XL pipeline would potentially support more than 42,000 jobs across the country, translating to $2 billion in worker earnings. Many of the new jobs will be in the long-depressed construction sector. The State Department also concluded that direct expenditures, such as construction and material costs, would put an additional $3.3 billion into the economy. Put simply, the Keystone XL project benefits American consumers and workers, improves our energy and economic security, and strengthens our ties with our closest friend, ally and trading partner - Canada. It’s clear the pipeline serves our national interest and should be approved without delay."

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