Testy pipeline (Keystone XL) debate expected (amendment oil traveling through it stays in USA)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20120207/NEWS01/702079943#testy-pipeline-debate-expected

By Joseph Morton

WASHINGTON — House Democrats on Monday previewed their lines of attack against legislation by Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., to force approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will take up the legislation Tuesday during what promises to be a lengthy session. Committee members delivered their opening statements Monday, with both sides hitting various pros and cons of the project.

Republicans focused on the $7 billion project's impact on job creation and energy security, while Democrats talked more about the potential environmental risks.

The 1,700-mile pipeline would transport tar sands oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries.

FULL story at link.

[Firebrand Gary]

1. Smart move.

The GOP is going to have a very hard time explaining why that oil must go outside the country. Especially considering that the vast majority of Americans will understand that if that oil stays in the US it would dramatically reduce the price of oil for a hundred years.

After all, the Alberta tar sands are supposed to be north Americas "Saudi Arabia" right?

[Johnson20]

2. Good idea. It should stay in N America. n/t

[Scruffy1]

5. So how do you guarantee a fungible commodity like oil's provenance?

Maybe one should think about that even if that oil staid in the USA, an equivalent amount is shipped out from another source. Of course, it's academic since a country that produces about 6% of the world's oil, but uses 25% has no control over price or supply.

[wordpix]

3. while we're at it, how about some good ol' American steel required?

Instead of the thin imported stuff TransCanada wanted to get a waiver for when it made its early proposal.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Should also guarantee that the jobs created are Union jobs

And pay Union scale wages.