Summary:
President Obama's approval or rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline - an extension of Canada's TransCanada pipeline that will slice through Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska - will set the stage for future environmental policy in the US and show the world (sort of) whether or not the US is serious about tackling environmental issues. The article provides a great timeline of the controversial proposed pipeline, and even points out when resistance to the pipeline began heating up. Supporters of the pipeline have claimed that it will brings hundreds, possibly thousands of jobs to the affected areas, while protesters claim that it would be devastating for animals and the environment, bad for the economy, and tarnish the reputation of the US as a global leader in progressive environmental policy.
Analysis:
The Obama administration has done a terrific job stalling on this issue and distracting environmental activists from the dozens of lesser-known and equally massive pipeline projects that are being installed around the country. I do not think President Obama will do the right thing and reject this pipeline because his administration has been openly hostile towards the environment and activists in general. The State Dept. report on Keystone XL confirmed the potential for serious environmental damage if the pipeline were to leak, and Obama had previously stated he would not sign off on the projects if it posed those serious environmental risks. And still, we have not heard his decision. Secretary of State John Kerry foolishly made climate change a major focus of the Obama administration, and we will see how resilient they are in the face of the oil lobby.
Link:
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/decision-time-looms-keystone
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