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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTwo Hopeful Signs The Obama Administration Will Not Approve The Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
Two Hopeful Signs The Obama Administration Will Not Approve The Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
By Joe Romm
50-50. Those were the odds you could get in DC for a bet on whether or not Obama would ultimately approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
But this week I think the odds turned against the pipeline, for two reasons:
Obama devoted far more of his second inaugural address to climate change than anybody expected and framed the issue in stark, moral terms.
The State Department decision wont come until after March, which means it will almost certainly be made by the new Secretary, climate hawk John Kerry.
Since so much as been written about the first point, let me start with the second. NBC reports:
The review is followed by a public comment period and then a final decision. That timeline means States decision will very likely be made by the man Obama nominated to replace Hillary Clinton.
Recall Kerrys Senate speech this summer slamming the U.S. political discussion as a conspiracy of silence a story of disgraceful denial, back-pedaling, and delay that has brought us perilously close to a climate change catastrophe. He goes on to say:
- more -
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/01/23/1485541/two-hopeful-signs-the-obama-administration-will-not-approve-keystone-xl-tar-sands-pipeline/
By Joe Romm
50-50. Those were the odds you could get in DC for a bet on whether or not Obama would ultimately approve the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.
But this week I think the odds turned against the pipeline, for two reasons:
Obama devoted far more of his second inaugural address to climate change than anybody expected and framed the issue in stark, moral terms.
The State Department decision wont come until after March, which means it will almost certainly be made by the new Secretary, climate hawk John Kerry.
Since so much as been written about the first point, let me start with the second. NBC reports:
We dont anticipate being able to conclude our own review before the end of the first quarter of this year, said Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman at the State Department, which had previously said it would make a decision by that deadline.
The review is followed by a public comment period and then a final decision. That timeline means States decision will very likely be made by the man Obama nominated to replace Hillary Clinton.
Recall Kerrys Senate speech this summer slamming the U.S. political discussion as a conspiracy of silence a story of disgraceful denial, back-pedaling, and delay that has brought us perilously close to a climate change catastrophe. He goes on to say:
It is a conspiracy that has not just stalled, but demonized any constructive effort to put America in a position to lead the world on this issue .
Climate change is one of two or three of the most serious threats our country now faces, if not the most serious, and the silence that has enveloped a once robust debate is staggering for its irresponsibility .
I hope we confront the conspiracy of silence head-on and allow complacence to yield to common sense, and narrow interests to bend to the common good. Future generations are counting on us.
- more -
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2013/01/23/1485541/two-hopeful-signs-the-obama-administration-will-not-approve-keystone-xl-tar-sands-pipeline/
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Two Hopeful Signs The Obama Administration Will Not Approve The Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline (Original Post)
ProSense
Jan 2013
OP
progressoid
(49,827 posts)1. Fingers crossed.
Hopefully saner heads will prevail over money.
joeybee12
(56,177 posts)4. Same here...nt
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)2. I hope Joe is right. nt
Last edited Wed Jan 23, 2013, 09:09 PM - Edit history (1)
ProSense
(116,464 posts)5. Good signs. n/t
2on2u
(1,843 posts)3. Climate change has already and will continue to make terrorism look like recess at the
day care center.
Delphinus
(11,808 posts)6. From those fingers
(your "lips" to the ears of the Goddess/God/Universe.
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)7. Good news!
politicasista
(14,128 posts)8. Kick. Hope they are right n/t
Last edited Fri Feb 8, 2013, 03:01 PM - Edit history (1)