The Keystone pipeline: how do I answer this argument?

[hedgehog]

The argument is that regardless of whether the pipeline is approved or not, the tar sands will be developed. Therefore, we might as well bring the jobs of refining the oil to Texas.

Mind you, my argument is that approval of the pipeline supports the entire fossil fuel economy and delays the conversion to renewable resources.

[TheWraith]

1. Unfortunately, it's a pretty good point.

The problem is that as long as there's demand for oil, it's going to be profitable to extract these. Stopping the pipeline doesn't turn effort over to clean power solutions--those have to be built BEFORE we can get rid of oil and fossil fuels. The only real way to prevent the tar sands from being developed and used is more clean energy.

[xchrom]

2. Jumping off of cliffs is good for morgues & hospitals? Nt

[bigtree]

3. it's interesting

. . . the law Bush passed prohibits the import of oil that has a higher carbon footprint than standard fuel.


"Tar sands oil is considered one of the “dirtiest” sources of petroleum on earth, loaded with so much carbon that the extraction and use of the Canadian resource could make it almost impossible to reverse the impact of global warming anytime soon, according to some scientists.

Tar sands oil was essentially outlawed for use in the U.S. when President Bush approved section 526 of the Energy Independence and National Security Act of 2007. Section 526 prohibits the government—the largest fuel purchaser in America—from using taxpayer dollars to purchase fuels that have a higher carbon footprint than conventional oil (namely, tar-sands petroleum)."
http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Tar_Sands_Oil_Pipeline_would_Violate_Bush_Era_Pollution_Law_110921


also,

Keystone XL is an export pipeline.

According to presentations to investors, Gulf Coast refiners plan to refine the cheap Canadian crude supplied by the pipeline into diesel and other products for export to Europe and Latin America. Proceeds from these exports are earned tax-free. Much of the fuel refined from the pipeline’s heavy crude oil will never reach U.S. drivers’ tanks.

Reducing demand for oil is the best way to improve our energy security. U.S. demand for oil has been declining since 2007. New fuel-efficiency standards mean that this trend will continue once the economy gets back on track. In fact, the Energy Deptartment report on KeystoneXL found that decreasing demand through fuel efficiency is the only way to reduce mid-east oil imports with or without the pipeline.
http://www.tarsandsaction.org/spread-the-word/key-facts-keystone-xl/

[Autumn]

4. There was an excellent article posted in GD yesterday

that will give you the info you need on the jobs. I don't know how to link but it was posted by RufusTFirefly. I agree with you on your thinking.

[grntuscarora]

5. In DC on Sunday

one of the speakers, in close and constant touch with Canadian activists, said that he has been assured that if we can hold up our end, they'll take care of killing the tar sands project up there. The speaker indicated that opposition is strong north of the border, and he felt confident in his counterparts' assessment of the situation there. I honestly don't know much about the Canadian end of things, but it was encouraging to hear.

[hedgehog]

6. Now, that's some interesting news. I wonder what would happen

if this oil had to go through British Columbia?