U.S. to Delay Decision on Pipeline Until After Election

[alp227]

Source: NYT

The Obama administration is preparing to delay a decision on the contested Keystone XL pipeline while it studies an alternate route, effectively pushing any action past the 2012 election, officials and lobbyists who have been briefed on the matter said on Thursday. An announcement is expected as early as Thursday afternoon.

The proposed project by a Canadian pipeline company had put President Obama in a political vise, squeezed between demands for secure energy sources and the jobs the project will bring, and the loud opposition of environmental advocates who have threatened to withhold electoral support next year if he approves it.

The $7 billion pipeline, which would run from Alberta to the Gulf Coast, has generated intense opposition from environmentalists and public officials in Nebraska, who claim that it threatens sensitive lands and underground water supplies along its 1,700-mile route. Critics also say that the heavy oil extracted from sand formations in Canada will add to climate change and extend American dependence on fossil fuels.

The administration in recent days has been exploring ways to put off the decision until after the 2012 election, fearing further alienation of environmental and health advocates who consider the pipeline decision a test of the Obama administration’s commitment to clean energy and air quality. Environmental groups have expressed sharp disappointment with a number of recent administration environmental decisions, including the rejection of a tougher new smog standard proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency and a five-year offshore drilling plan that opens new areas in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/us/politics/administration-to-delay-pipeline-decision-past-12-election.html

[tblue]

1. Well, it's better than nothing.

But I have a feeling it will be approved right after the election, and some of us will even be surprised.

[FreeBillClinton]

2. Obama doesn't want to lost votes. It will go through after the election regardless of who wins.

[arikara]

3. Is it true that they have eminent domain status

and they are busy grabbing land and putting it in anyhow?

[prairierose]

6. Yes, I believe so...I saw an article recently that 22 landowners...

in my state have been notified that their land will be condemned and appropriated if they do not accept the sale.

[haikugal]

4. Our country doesn't belong to us anymore...

What we want or need doesn't matter to those in power regardless of party. However, we the people, the 99% have power if we choose to stand up.

[Jakes Progress]

5. Boy. That's a surprise.

Insert any sarcasm flag needed.

Who will he serve? We would like to know before we donate.

[Roland99]

7. U.S. may delay Keystone pipeline decision: report

Source: MarketWatch

The U.S. State Department may delay its decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, a $7 billion project proposed by TransCanada Corp. to bring crude oil from the Canadian oil sands into the U.S., according to reports on Thursday. The pipeline has drawn protests in Washington and in Nebraska, where lawmakers have expressed concern about protecting groundwater supplies near the proposed path of the pipeline. Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal reported the State Department will postpone its possible approval of the project until after the 2012 election. The U.S. may seek to change the route of the pipeline around an environmentally sensitive area in Nebraska. Such a request could require an upated enviornmental impact statement -- a process that could take until some time in 2013. A TransCanada spokesman did not immediately answer an email from MarketWatch requesting a comment

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-may-delay-keystone-pipeline-decision-report-2011-11-10?link=MW_home_latest_news

[BlueIris]

8. Interesting.

By interesting, I mean kind of obvious.

[madrchsod]

9. the pipeline goes right over the oklahoma earth quake area

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Really? But of course.

As if all the rest of it was not crazy enough.

[Hissyspit]

11. U.S. Seeks New Keystone Pipeline Route

Source: Reuters

U.S. seeks new Keystone pipeline route

By Arshad Mohammed and Timothy Gardner
WASHINGTON | Thu Nov 10, 2011 3:59pm EST

By Arshad Mohammed and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Thursday it will study a new route for the Keystone XL Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline, delaying any final approval beyond the U.S. 2012 election and sparing U.S. President Barack Obama a politically risky decision during an election year.

The decision was a victory for environmental groups, who say producing oil sands crude emits large amounts of greenhouse gases. It was a blow to TransCanada Corp, which planned to build and operate the conduit.

The State Department said that based on past experience a study of the new route could be completed as early as the first three months of 2013, well past the November 6 2012 U.S. presidential election.

Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the new study a would examine a route that avoids the environmentally sensitive Sand Hills of Nebraska.

Read more: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7A95E520111110?irpc=932

[abelenkpe]

12. How about not building it at all?

:hide:

[Suich]

13. I don't understand what the US is getting out of this deal?

Are the states the pipeline goes through getting paid? Is the US gov't getting any $$$?

:shrug:

[tex-wyo-dem]

14. U.S. Delays Decision on Pipeline Until After Election

Source: NY Times

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Thursday said it was delaying a decision on the contested Keystone XL pipeline while it studies an alternate route through Nebraska, effectively pushing any action well past the 2012 election and into 2013.

The State Department, which announced the decision, has been reviewing the proposed project since 2008 to determine whether it is in the national interest.

“As a result of this process, particularly given the concentration of concerns regarding the environmental sensitivities of the current proposed route through the Sandhills area of Nebraska, the department has determined it needs to undertake an in-depth assessment of potential alternative routes in Nebraska,” the department said in a statement Thursday.

The proposed project by a Canadian pipeline company had put President Obama in a political vise, squeezed between the demand for secure energy sources and the thousands of jobs the project will bring, and the loud opposition of environmental advocates who have threatened to withhold electoral support next year if he approves it.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/us/politics/administration-to-delay-pipeline-decision-past-12-election.html?src=me&ref=us

[Fumesucker]

15. The decision has already been made in my view..

They are just postponing telling the public.

[24601]

24. Move along citizens, no leadership to see here.... n/t

[Playinghardball]

16. US orders alternate routes for controversial oil pipeline

Source: MSNBC

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Thursday ordered the developer of a proposed Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline to come up with alternative routes through part of Nebraska — a decision welcomed by liberal voters and environmentalists but criticized by Republicans and oil industry trade unions, not to mention Canada.

Drafting a changed route for TransCanada Corp.'s $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline will trigger a supplemental environmental impact statement and likely delay the final decision on whether to approve or reject the proposal until after the 2012 elections.

"It is reasonable to expect that this process ... could be completed as early as the first quarter of 2013," the State Department said in announcing the move. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses a U.S. border.

Canada immediately complained about the decision.

"We are disappointed," said Andrew MacDougall, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "We remain hopeful the project will be decided on its merits and eventually approved."


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45242052/ns/us_news-environment/

[Vincardog]

17. Is there any reason to believe that this is anything other than BO pushing this past the election to

approve it then? I think not.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. U.S. to Delay Decision on Pipeline Until After Election

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x5055426

[Angry Dragon]

19. then if Canada wants it so much then build the pipeline and refineries there

the oil is not going to be sold here anyway
sold overseas

[aquart]

20. Tough noogies, Canada.

Looks like you're still getting the pipiline so quit your bellyaching.

[yourout]

21. Makes you wonder if he is re-elected what direction Obama will move.

Most re-elected Presidents will try to move the direction of their party.

I am not so sure about Obama. I could very well see him moving farther right if he is re-elected.

[Vincardog]

22. He is already too far right.

[yourout]

23. Agreed.

[No Elephants]

27. And the center right is now in solid control of the Party, at least on the national level.

And, from the way Democratic mayors are treating the occupiers, I would say the local level as well.

My biggest political fear (on the national level) is that we held onto the simplistic "red team, blue team" paradigm too long.

[Vincardog]

30. That is why some of us are speaking up (and have been) about the way some Democrats have sold out to

the power of MONEY AKA the .01%

[alp227]

25. I just got this email from CREDO Action

"The State Department and Obama Administration announced today that they will re-evaluate the route of the Keystone XL pipeline, and restart their environmental assessment, which take until at least the beginning of 2013 to complete.

"This is huge. The decision is not the same as rejecting the pipeline. But it is a major delay. And it is also an explicit recognition of the inadequacy of the State Department's initial review process. And it is proof that the petitions, phone calls, letters, rallies, and yes, 1,252 arrests, made an enormous impact on this decision."

(form letter to thank Obama: http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/keystone_delay/)

[No Elephants]

26. As though Nebraska were the only issue.

[woo me with science]

28. Well, of course.

We all know this dance by now. :puke:

[bvar22]

29. Typical.

Another Failure of Leadership.

...And I keep reading posts Blaming the Voters for a lack of enthusiasm. :shrug:




You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.
Solidarity99!
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