OBAMA AND THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE
Yesterday the Republicans put forth a bill to extend the Social Security tax cut to reduce unemployment. This bill includes language to start construction on the Keystone Pipeline, from Canada to the gulf coast. Obama has said that if the construction of the pipeline is included in the bill he will veto it.
There are several facts about the pipeline that we should be aware of. There is concern about routing the line over an aquifer. The bill now includes a provision to reroute the line away from the aquifer. We should also take into account that there are multiple pipe lines crossing the United States. To date none of these has had a spill that contaminated our drinking water.
Second, this is truly a “shovel ready” project that can start now. Obama keeps talking about creating jobs, but his actions to block the pipe line make us recognize that he is catering to the enviromenlist in his party. He does not want to upset them as he counts on them to vote for him. It does show that he is playing politics by not pushing this project.
We should realize that Canada has the Oil and Natural Gas that we need. If this line is blocked, they will simply build the line across their land and sell the oil and gas to China. This will not help to make us energy independent as Obama insist.
The GOP language in the bill would give the Obama administration two months to issue a permit for construction. This would produce much needed jobs for Americans.
Obama says he is not opposed to the pipe line, but wants to postpone it until after the 2012 elections. I, for one, do not trust him to approve it then. We need to start this project NOW and put people to work.
Stan Elrod
Charlotte, NC
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