In August of this year the U. S. State Department finished its review of the Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), finding that it posed limited hazards to the environment. Many green groups had complained that the pipeline could spill heavy Canadian crude across the Plains, and raise greenhouse gas emissions. The EIS rebutted and/or dismissed most of the issues raised, but the Sierra Club and the National Wildlife Federation found fault with the State Department review.
Prior to the State Department findings, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called for a more in-depth review, calling an earlier EIS insufficient. It appears that green groups were hoping the EPA would expose flaws in the final EIS, which apparently didn’t happen this time around. There are those of us who believe that most of those working for the EPA are de facto supporters of environmental groups.
Energy Department deputy assistant secretary, Carmine DiFiglio, predicted the Canadian oil supply carried by Keystone XL likely would replace imports of heavy crude from less stable nations such as Mexico and Venezuela. He also concluded that an alternative pipeline that does not require a permit from the State Department would emerge if the Keystone XL was rejected.
Currently there are some 50,000 miles of oil pipeline in this country that are providing massive economic benefit at a minimum environmental risk. However on November 10th, in an effort to secure the votes of his environmental supporters, President Obama announced that he was delaying his decision until after the 2012 election.
It appears to me that Obama put his personal political ambitions ahead of achieving energy independence and creating jobs. His decision could also lead to Canadian oil being sold to China, which will then be shipped 6,000 miles by supper tankers. Upon arrival the oil will be refined in China where there is far less regulation. Apparently this President doesn’t care if China gets most of the Canadian oil, and Americans have to pay more at the pump and to heat their homes.
The President’s action also put a halt to the thousands of jobs that this pipeline would have created. This only served to convince me that the President has no trouble lying to the American public about his desire to create millions of American jobs. He also stopped an estimated $5.2 billion in property tax revenue to the states of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
The next time you fill up the family car and pay $3.30 to $4.00 a gallon for the privilege, shout out a loud “Thank you, Mr. President!”
Quote for the Week, “It is always the best policy to speak the truth--unless, of course, you are an exceptionally good liar.”---- Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) (This quotation was found on the Quotations Page.)
