Obama to make decision on controversial oil pipeline

[alp227]

Source: Wash. Post

President Obama said Tuesday that he will decide whether to approve or deny a permit for a controversial 1,700-mile Canadian oil pipeline , rather than delegating the decision to the State Department.

The proposal by the firm TransCanada to ship crude extracted from a region in Alberta called the “oil sands” to Gulf Coast refineries has become a charged political issue for the White House. Labor unions and business groups argue that it would create thousands of jobs in the midst of an economic downturn. Environmentalists — who plan to ring the White House in a protest on Sunday — say the extraction of the oil will accelerate global warming and the pipeline itself could spill, polluting waterways and causing severe environmental harm.

In an interview with the Omaha television station KETV, the president said he would weigh the Keystone XL pipeline’s potential economic benefits against its possible environmental consequences. The Nebraska legislature convened Tuesday in a special session, called by Gov. Dave Heineman (R), to consider whether it should adopt any measures that would block the pipeline.

Referring to the State Department, Obama told KETV, “They’ll be giving me a report over the next several months and, you know, my general attitude is: What is best for the American people? What’s best for our economy both short term and long term? But also: What’s best for the health of the American people?”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-to-make-decision-on-controversial-oil-pipeline/2011/11/01/gIQAp5M9dM_story.html?wprss=

---

So a Republican governor and Republican legislature want to block the pipeline. Given the scary implications of Keystone, this is one time when Obama SHOULD listen to Republicans.

[msongs]

1. i read on DU this oil will mostly go for exports. well that's a reason to reject it right there nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. But it will increase the amount of oil available on the world market

More oil on the world market means lower oil prices.

[bhikkhu]

2. Lots of Jekyll and Hyde reactions either way it goes

As in, we need economic growth to create jobs, but many don't believe we should do it with fossil fuels. Yet we all share lifestyles which are only possible with fossil fuels.

Or, we reject fossil fuel use and hate the environmental problems that come with it, but we drive every day and complain about the price of gas and how it has driven up food prices, and how inflation makes it difficult to get by these days...

[Little Tich]

3. Obama has to choose between jobs and the environment.

I hope he chooses the environment. It's not a very good idea to have a pipeline going througn sensitive ecosystems, aquifers and earthquake prone areas.

[gateley]

4. Is this the same issue that some here said he'd okay'd? Not

trying to stir it up, just not sure if it's the same issue. Thanks.

[saras]

5. I'm not convinced the pipeline is the best choice for jobs, let alone the environment.

There's a short-term need for construction, which aren't the best jobs for a community anyways, even if they are filled by locals, which they won't be. Beyond that, very few jobs here, lots at the other end.

[Hotler]

6. The number of jobs the pipeline will create is a drop in the bucket..

The damage the pipeline will cause will be HUGH!!!!11 This pipeline is all about money. Period. President Obama will not disappoint his money masters. If he says no I'll take my crow with lots of Tabasco.