Keystone XL pipeline arguments focus on Canada's stance on emissions

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130816/NEWS/130819278/1685#keystone-xl-pipeline-arguments-focus-on-canada-s-stance-on-emissions

By Joseph Morton / World-Herald staff writer

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's decision on the Keystone XL pipeline could turn on whether Canada takes steps to offset increases in greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the pipeline.

That's why environmentalists from the United States and Canada this week were pushing a message that there is no way to adequately offset the increase in emissions that the pipeline would bring.

Pipeline supporters, meanwhile, continued to focus on studies, including those by the State Department, that have found that approval of the pipeline would ultimately have little impact on emissions. That conclusion is based on the premise that all of that oil is coming out of the ground regardless of whether this particular project goes forward.

Both sides have plans for aggressive advertising and lobbying efforts in the coming weeks. Some movement on the pipeline by the Obama administration is widely expected by the end of the year. The State Department has not announced a formal time frame for making a recommendation to the president, however.

FULL story at link.