Keystone XL decision
By Jim Killebrew

[February 03, 2014]  After five federal studies examining the environmental impact on the building of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to Texas, a major study from the State Department was just released last week that added more information that negates any negative environmental impact.

 The President has stated last Summer that he would not make a decision on the building of the pipeline until he was certain there would be no adverse effect on the environment. Even though all the reports received so far, including the most recent one from the State Department, so far has ensured the pipeline construction will not create undue hazard to the environment. that assurance still may not be enough for the President, however.

On Sunday during a Meet the Press interview, the President's Chief-of-staff, Denis McDonough said the President will not make a decision until he is for sure there will be no adverse environmental impact. Further, the Chief-of-Staff said there are other federal departs, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for instance, that will have to complete a study and weigh in on the question. So it appears a strategy being established for the President is for a long line of federal agencies to begin studies so they can give their findings to the President before he will make a decision. Of course that may take much more time, perhaps months or even years. This has not set well with the republicans of course, since they are calling for the President to make his decision immediately.

The problem with keeping the Canadian government waiting is the distinct possibility they will simply ship their oil to another country, likely China. If they should decide to ship it across the country by rail, the possibilities of having an oil disaster that would significantly impact the environment is increased significantly. Further, it would reduce the number of jobs created if the pipeline was to be built. The other problem is the question of how many studies does the President need to make up his mind. With this fifth study that reported there is no significant danger to the environment, it seems not only redundant to replicate the study over again, but very expensive as well. Expensive not only in money, but with manpower and time. That doesn't even count the loss of the energy being delayed for good use in people's homes as everyone waits for the President to make up his mind and demanding more and more redundant studies.

It has become fairly clear the Keystone XL pipeline issue is a political issue with both political parties. Of course that puts it on the political agenda, which means the President is likely more concerned with the political ramifications to himself and his party than he is concerned with the environment, or jobs for that matter. The unions have back the affirmative decision and has urged the President to say yes to the pipeline. They are looking at the seven billion dollar project as a great source of jobs for their members. The republicans are largely in favor of the pipeline and are also urging the President to decide for it. The democrats, on the other hand, are divided on one side with the unions and jobs, and on the other side with environmentalists who say the pipeline will be damaging to the environment. Even though there is no real evidence the pipeline will damage the environment; with the contrary being the case for jobs. The almost 2,000 miles of pipeline that would transport more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day, would likely create as many as 2,000 jobs during the construction phase. Additionally, jobs would be permanently created to service and maintain the pipeline.

So, what we have is an issue the President wants to delay a decision for until he gets more information. Even though much information has been obtained, with the majority of the study results being favorable to building the pipeline, the President still wants other federal departments to weigh in on the subject. The estimated guess is that no decision will be made until sometime in the Summer of 2014. I believe it has become so political the President's main concern is how it will impact, not on the environment, but on the mid-term election in November. If the unions, jobs issues portion of the democrats gain the prevailing argument for the building of the pipeline, the President will choose that argument to side with and give approval for the construction. But it will only be a few weeks before the election date.

It will be interesting to see the results of the "study" the EPA will provide the President. Of course they will likely come down on the side of a detrimental impact on the environment. The bottom line will be once again the "finger in the air" regarding which way the winds of victory for the democrats will be. If more Senators running for re-election are in favor of the pipeline being built so they can get on the bandwagon with the unions and the people wanting jobs, the President will likely decide that way...again, however, not until just before the election. If the environmentalists have more Senators running for re-election and need the environmental issue as a winning point, the President will likely agree with them. You can be sure of one thing, no matter how many studies it will take from federal agencies to stretch the time for making a decision closer to the election time, and the issue that wins out with the most "winnable" democrat Senators seeking re-election, that will be the decision this Presidents makes. That will be irrespective of any consideration of what will be good for the people of America.

[By JIM KILLEBREW]