API and building trades unions call on government to uphold the rule of law on the Dakota Access Pipeline

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- API President and CEO Jack Gerard and North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey highlighted the benefits of increased energy infrastructure and discussed recent administration actions surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline and the potential impacts on the rule of law, American workers, and American consumers.

"Infrastructure plays a critical role in maintaining and growing America's energy renaissance and it's important that our energy infrastructure is able to meet the needs of consumers and our growing economy," said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. "With the Dakota Access Pipeline, the administration's recent attempts to change the rules, in the middle of the game, set a dangerous precedent for our country that could threaten all other infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, and electricity transmission. Moving forward, it's critical that the rule of law is followed as the need for new energy infrastructure grows."

"We are deeply disturbed by the unprecedented action taken by President Obama to supersede the decision of a federal court judge and halt the lawful construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Union members have been relying on these excellent, family supporting middle class jobs with family health care, pensions, and good wages for over six months," said North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey. "The administration's attempts to shut down construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline show that it is putting politics ahead of the rule of law. We fear that President Obama has now set a dangerous precedent where political considerations can now thwart or delay every single infrastructure project moving forward."

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 650 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 30 million Americans.

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SOURCE American Petroleum Institute