Needless to say, I am one of the people who is upset at the recent State Department release of their Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Pipeline. Ironically, they got most of the facts right, but used them to come to a conclusion that they do not justify. I also think some folks are being far too quick to blame this on Obama.
Construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline would create "numerous" and "substantial" impacts on the environment, the State Department said Friday in a draft environmental impact statement. But the project is a better bet than any of the alternatives, it said in essentially clearing the project to go ahead.
The report concluded that the Canadian synthetic crude oil the pipeline is slated to transport into the U.S. produces 17 percent more greenhouse gases than natural crude oil already refined here. In addition, it said the construction phase of the project would result in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to about 626,000 passenger vehicles operating for a full year.
Without directly saying so, the report signaled the State Department’s belief that the pipeline should go ahead, concluding that other modes of transportation would have the same impacts and that proposed alternatives — including an above-ground route and a smaller-diameter pipe — "were not reasonable."
And on a central issue of discussion, it concluded that blocking the pipeline wouldn’t make any difference in the U.S.’s high consumption of oil… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <US News>
Here’s the flaw in their logic. When they concluded that the pipeline is no worse than the other alternatives, they started from the assumption that the Canadian synthetic crude would be refined on the US Gulf Coast, but why make that assumption? There is a far better alternative, and that is to tell Harper that he and his harlots have already destroyed far too much of Canada, so he should take his dirty Tar Sands crude and stick it where the midnight sun never shines.
Regarding Obama, he had nothing to do with the contents of this report. That happened much lower on the food chain. It was prepared by so-called “non-partisan” permanent staffers. Before Obama took office, I warned that Republican moles were burrowing-in. That is, temporary Republican political appointees were switching to permanent “non-partisan” staff positions in all departments. I said that would come back to hurt us over and over again. That was before we moved to WordPress, but here’s a reference from 2009. State was not exempt from that. If there was any high level involvement, it would have been from Hillary Clinton, because Kerry has not been at State long enough to have provided input. Although I will support Hillary if the wins the nomination in 2016, I have to admit that the environment is not her strong suit.
The best we can do at this point is to keep signing the petitions that are there now, and that will be coming, and to personally call the White House at 202-456-1414.
18 Responses to “The Keystone Debacle”
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I would do it personally if directed… 🙂
LOL, Richard! 😀
I am disappointed to say the least.
The moles did what they always do, wreak havoc.
Ditto, Patty.
I live a few miles from Lake Superior. Calumet (used to be Murphy Oil) in Superior, WI, is getting new permits for a new dock on the lake, They are swimming in oil because of what's going on in the Dakotas. Calumet plans to ship unrefined (crud) oil through the Great Lakes to the East coast. Can't wait for our first catastropic spill, that will corrupt the largest source of fresh water in the world. Calumet also has a refinery in Superior, WI. They are swimming in gasoline, even though we pay $4.00 a gallon here. Gas prices have not followed supply and demand for years. This pipeline will be a problem in the future, an accident waiting to happen.
Thanks for the local info, Steve. You provide a perspective that mnost parts of the nation don't have.
The mere fact that a foreign company can come onto American soil and claim eminent domain should be flat out illegal!! We don't want their sludge and pipe leakage, already exposed in many states, anymore than the Canadians want this pipeline!!
To those involved at TransCanada I say "off with your heads!!"
Welcome, Tamara! 🙂
Canada has many qualities worthy of emulation, but the Tar Sands atrocity and this pipeline are NOT!
It is so damm depressing–
Phyllis, I hear you!
It would seem that what is needed is the clear understanding that Cleaner Is Better – and that there is a political price to be paid for supporting the harmful use of carbon.
There is NO DOUBT that fossil fuels are boiling our planet – and Keystone would only ratchet up the heat.
It may not be the most critical battle in Global Warming – but it's one that can be easily addressed: DON'T BUILD IT!
Bingo!!!
I heard on the radio news that the EPA draft report was in on the Keystone XL and that the pipeline was looking more and mor favourable. The thought was that John Kerry would recommend and Mr Obama would sign. But in this news report, it said the building of the Keystone XL would provide no unmanageable risks. Now I have a question: Does that mean just the building of the pipeline, or does that mean the building and the operation of the pipeline? I see that as two totally different scenarios — one with manageable risks, the other with horrendous environmental risks (pipeline spills) over and above the contribution to polluting the general environment.
As far as Harper and his harlots (glad you like that name) go, Harper certainly has a vested interest in Alberta since his riding is there (difference with American system — the Prime Minister represents a riding and there are no limits as to the number of times a Member of Parliament can be re-elected).
In addition to the Keystone XL, there is the Enbridge or Northern Gateway pipeline that will travel through central BC — through pristine rainforest, the Great Bear Rainforest — on its way to the coast for shipment through very dangerous waters in large tankers to the US and China. Additionally, Kinder Morgan, a Houston Texas based company, is trying to get permits to build a pipeline from the tar sands to Burnaby (part of Metro Vancouver) and expand its operations there, There are a lot of Canadians oppposed to these pipelines and the great potential for disaster.
Instead of all this money on dirty fossil fuels, alternate clean and renewable energy should be the only option. I will keep signing petitions until I am blue in the face for all three. As Floyd Red Crow Westerman said in a 2004 video, it is time to listen to the earth; it is time to live with respect to Mother Earth.
Lynn, I fuly agree. As for Harper's Harlots, I may not be the only one who coined it, but that's a TC original.
I do so agree with everyone here – and like Lynn will keep signing petitions wherever I can find them! Thanks TC!
Thanks Pat!
This oil will too go on the world market which will benefit only the oil industry, how's about our tax payer subsidizes being returned to the tax payers?
Obviously it isn't Richard.