Washington (CNN) - The Obama administration will likely announce its opposition to the controversial Keystone pipeline project as early as today, according to a Democratic source briefed on the matter.
Though House Speaker John Boehner's office has not yet been informed of the White House decision, the Speaker said today, "This is not good for our country. The president wants to put this off until it's convenient for him to make a decision. That means after the next election. The fact is the American people are asking the question right now, "Where are the jobs?"
The proposed Keystone pipeline has been caught up in the Washington political discourse since Republicans inserted a clause in the payroll tax cut negotiations last fall trying to force a decision on the project within a limited time frame. The White House had tried to push the decision until 2013 after the coming presidential election.
The pipeline would run from northern Alberta in Canada down to Texas's Gulf Coast. Republicans and some unions want to push approval through for the project in favor of the job creation prospects. The administration points to environmental reviews still underway and opponents express concerns about the nation's oil dependency being further embraced in regards to not rushing a decision.
From CNN Politics
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Obama won't do ANYTHING to help this country when it comes to oil. He'd rather see gas at $10/gallon and all of us riding horses or unemployed because we can't find a job within walking distance of our homes.
Just another one to add to the very long list of Obama job killing policies. November can't get here fast enough.
We don't want that foreign oil!!!!!!!!!!
What a great idea to run thousands of mile of oil pipeline through the center of our country over aquifers that supply water to 8 states and many farming communities. If this doesn't beg for a terrorist attack, I don't know what would. Why not just build a refinery at the source. The oil companies don't want this becuase it would increase gasoline supplies and drop the price. Instead most of our refineries are in states that get hit by hurricanes.
If folks would research and find out just how toxic and nasty this crude really is, they would understand the President's cautious position on this project.
Meh. We'll just sell it to the Pacific rim countries. One way or another, it'll get pulled out of the ground, processed, sold, and burned up. I would think that an oil self-sufficient NAFTA zone would make more sense, but enjoy your Saudi and Venezuelan oil instead.
OF COURSE HE WILL................Why get you guys jobs. Obama will prove himself a jobkiller by doing this and he is only doing it because its election year and that little plan my friends will backfire on him as he packs to move out of the Whitehouse in 12 months
How typical of Obama, his policies are complete failures, he tries to push off the decision till after the election and now will be forced to appease his base of environmentalists. I need this work, we don't have many other options and it will provide a nice income for the forseeable future. He should be ashamed of himself and he should be promptly kicked out of office. What have you done for us Obama, nothing... but your wife sure knows how to spend the tax payers money, he should rein her in, and i really mean "rein" neigh...
Here we go again, no jobs for thousands, but this administration is for job creation in CHINA, government owed Chinese companies allotted infrostructure jobs that american companies could have done.
Why does Texas need more jobs? Build the refinery in Montana.
It conveniently goes to a port where they already have plenty of oil, yet they say they have no plans to export it.
Funny how the same people who claim to love "God's country" also lobby to have it scarred up by a disgusting giant pipeline pumping sludge across the heartland. All because it might add jobs, which is laughable because all it will do it provide contract money to existing contractors (ie, no jobs added).
And if Obama approved the pipeline today without any environmental research on the new route, if there's a spill the Republicans will shout "It's Obama's fault, he approved it!"
Scorched-earth policies are never good, Republicans. Without the environmental review, nobody knows if the new route is safe, so how can anyone say "yes, go ahead" and even remotely be considered a responsible steward of the land? You force his hand, you get the results.
Fool. Still want to be stuck in the Middle East, squandering billions, fighting wars, keep sending welfare payments to Pakistan, Israel and Egypt. Obama is a gonner if he doesn't sign off on this. If I were Romney, I'd hammer him on it.
Yeah, Mr. Boehner. Where are the jobs? You have house of Reps in your pocket, yet absolutely refuse to pass anything that creates even ONE job. Meanwhile, Obama has created over 2.7 million jobs.
Leroy, yea your right, nasty and the present administration is working hard so we get $10 gas and only government employees can afford to drive, the rest of us better get used to walking and riding bikes.
I'm glad he is firmly stating his position on this. Then if the republicans have their way, put in a pipeline, and becomes a major disaster, it will undeniably be their fault. Obama 2012!
"December 2010, according to Boehner’s financial disclosure forms, he invested $10,000 to $50,000 each in seven firms that had a stake in Canada’s oil sands, the region that produces the oil the pipeline would transport. The firms include six oil companies—BP, Canadian Natural Resources, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Devon Energy and Exxon—along with Emerson Electric, which has a contract to provide the digital automation for the first phase of a $9.4 billion Horizon Oil Sands Project in Canada."
No one should be surprised, this president could care less about jobs or providing the energy the nation needs. Obama has been a bad joke as president, so it is in our national security to give the Canadians the opportunity to see this resource to the Chinese. November can't get here fast enough. As a nation we can only pray that President Romney will undo as many of the Obama mistakes as he can.
This isn't an issue about jobs at all. It's an issue about Republican oil company lobbying and kickbacks. The potential risks of this project far outweigh the benefits. Obama is right in being cautious here.
How many miles of oil pipeline already exist in the U.S.? Answer, 400,000 miles.
When is the last time we had a leak? Answer, 1978.
Enough said..................
u need 2 build it now , this could be your legacy , you won't b able 2 do it in your second term , there won't b one !!!!
Of course he'll oppose it. He wants us enslaved to foreign countries. He wants our econmy to fail. How can anyone not see this?
can't you people see that Obama is purposely trying to ruin the economy for his fascist agenda. how much more can our country take
I am no fan of tar sands oil and I am quite certain the jobs estimates will never be realized, but I'm not convinced this is the correct decision. Energy availability is going to be the largest issue this planet faces in the near term (50 years), and we need to exploit every available source. I believe we need to move away from fossil fuels, but wind and solar will not meet the energy needs of the next 50 years. Our efforts need to be focused on efficiency and new energy technologies, but we will still need the oil tar sands in Alberta and shale in Utah provide. Unfortunately.
Good, he didn't bend like a weak straw to the Republicans demands for once.
The jobs that the pipeline might create would be a pittance compared to the environmental damage. Pipelines always leak some amount of oil, and it there's a rupture somewhere along the line, it'll be a catastrophe for that area.
Then there's the extremely dirty process of extracting oil from tar sands. It's a clear sign we're already facing Peak Oil when oil companies can profit off of such an efficient source of oil. Instead of diving headlong into further oil dependence for the sake of very short-term price relief, we need to shift as quickly as possible to other sources of energy for our transportation. The clearest and most practical option is electricity which can be generated from all sorts of fuels - hydro, wind, solar, nuclear, natural gas and coal.
If we stick our head in the sand and continue buying & producing gasoline cars, we'll forever be stuck at the mercy of the middle east and buying their dirty oil.
Only Oil addict cry for $10 gas, we have many sources of energy, switch to green technology it will create millions of new jobs and save money
As an individual who lives in Nebraska I say, "thank god!" For all of you that are slamming Obama for haulting something that would create jobs, let me explain to you that these are temp jobs that would only last about 2-3 months. Secondly this oil is owned by Canada and would be transported to the Gulf of Mexico and then shipped to other destination i.e. China...This pipeline was not being created in the best interests of America.
"Why not just build a refinery at the source."
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Great idea! That way, we can refine the oil there, and then build several pipelines to get the various prducts where they need to go and.... oh wat, never mind.
Yay, Obama! You are the man!
You guys do realize that even if he set the pipeline up that the jobs will be TEMPORARY? Doesn't mean that those "20,000" people who got the job will have it down the road.
pipeline is to be Canadian owned with Canadian oil and transported through the US so Canada can sell it OUTSIDE the US. in Congressional testimony the Canadian owners said they would not guarantee that ANY of the oil would remain here in the US and analysts have said it is all for expert. Why should we host a pipeline that does us NO good?
Oldeskoolfan, since this administration got into power we have lost over 80000 manufacturing jobs and 1.6 million lost their jobs. If the democrats stop giving the EPA unlimited power and the congress would vote on some of the bills the house put forth instead playing the class card and all they can say is tax the rich, according to the Huffington Post if you make over $37000 your rich.
And how many permanent jobs will this create? A few hundred, in Canada? Sure, the construction will employ many, but once the pipeline is done, so are the created jobs. But the GOP is going to make a massive issue of this because losing the pipeline means they've let down their main campaign contributors, and we can't have that here in the Corporate States of America.
Refine that crap crude INSIDE Canada and sell us the gas. We don't need this pipeline.
u need 2 build it now , it could b your legacy , you won't have another chance 2 do it , you will only b a 1 term pres
Somebody explain to me again why you'd build a complex oil pipeline thousands of miles across a country to an international ocean port, if your objective is to provide a domestic source of oil and gasoline?
Kil, so how much did Kerry, Pelosi, Reid invest with insider trading info.
There go the republicans, making rash decisions without doing their homework first. If the repubs win, say goodbye to more troops who will be heading for Libya, Syria, and Iran. Creates more jobs doesn't it? Sounds like the end justifies the means to me.
Oh, NO. I was going to buy oil stocks tomorrow.
Hmmm... the U.S. doesn't want Canadian oil at the moment! Obviously, Canada should just hang out until the U.S. is ready for it, (cuz ya know, Canada is like a slave to the U.S.). Oh but wait... that won't happen, it will be exported elsewhere.
Dear Obama, forget the environmentalist crazies who have just latched onto a "cause" (kinda of like pathetic celebrities), and do what is right for the U.S. If the U.S. had the capacity to provide its own energy to the whole country, this wouldn't be an issue. So pick, Canadian "dirty" oil (vs. clean oil???) or Middle East oil. Tough, tough, decision...
Refine that extremely low grade crude INSIDE Canada and sell us the gas. We don't need this pipeline. We don't need the massive amounts of toxic waste from the refining process.
Of course Obama wants to put it off till after the election, that way if he doesn't get elected he doesn't have to worry about it but if he does get elect he can go ahead and stab you in the back once again!
Ron Paul 2012!!
Tom from Canonsburg - Why does Texas need more jobs? Build the refinery in Montana
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And then build an explosive gasoline pipeline??? Or pay HUGE amounts to truck it??? (trucks don't polute at all right?)
Large amounts of OIL move in oil tankers on the water OR through pipelines on the surface.
All these loons posting about the dangers of pipelines should look at the VERY successful Alaskan pipeline. This country NEEDS and REQUIRES fuel! The ONLY decision is where you get it from. It appears Obama and the leftists want us to continue to buy it from Hugo Chevez and the Middle East that is always so friendly to us. Yes, screw those nasty Canadiens.
Obama, for purely policital reasons, is screwing over the USA and Canada in this matter.
There are thousands of miles of EXISTING pipelines, go research that this is just ONE more and will do nothing worse than any other of the THOUSANDS of miles that already exist in this country. The lunacy that this is some unique pipeline or that it will ruin an aquafer (it was already re-routed to appease those complainers) is simply the misinformed supporting Obamma no matter what.
Bush was a failure, agreed...and the current clown in office is no better.
Isn't it time we also finished off the GOP once and for all......along with their pompous and pious family values.
The so called reporting on the Keystone XL pipeline is pitiful. This has nothing to do with the price of gasoline. The product is planned for export, in the form of middle distillates – diesel, jet fuel, heating oil – primarily to Europe and Latin America.
Republican job creation numbers are way overblown. Environmental issues aside, this pipeline will raise our costs in the US signifcantly. Here's why.
The pipeline is designed to make it cheaper to export products from Canada. The pipeline ends in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently tankers must go through the Panama Canal and up the western coast of North America, which is expensive. The added expense means that the products must be sold at a discount to make up for additional transportation costs.
Meanwhile, the US buys this product at the discounted rate, and does not need to transport it very far. Guess what happens when you remove the added costs for tankers in the Atlantic? The discount disappears and the price goes up.
"You guys do realize that even if he set the pipeline up that the jobs will be TEMPORARY?"
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Yep – just like Obama's stimulus jobs.
No more support for energy dead ends. Green or nothing.
The refineries should be built in Canada at the source of the oil. That is so obvious one wonders why anyone would want to pipe the heavy crude all the way to Texas – that should be the real question reporters are not asking. The solution is simple, so no to the pipeline and tell the oil companies to refine in Canada.
The oil will be put on a tanker and shipped to China.
so the tree lovers got to the president - wonder what they offered
No WAY should we have that toxic poisonous crap flowing over 8 states. It could RUIN crops, groundwater, livestock, tourism and wildlife. Good decision, President Obama. People can find jobs someplace else!!!!
This pipeline is certaintly a symbol of Canadian Hypocrisy. Ordinarily, they would be on America's back for such an idea, other then that they stand to profit from dirty oil..Also agree with the comments in regards to pumping this to the gulf... Why? Could easily build refineries along the mississippi? Probably more then enough customers there.
Fine if the U.S doesn't want Canadian oil, please send it to China. All hail our new Chinese masters
"Why does Texas need more jobs? Build the refinery in Montana." ....Because you can't get approval to build any refineries thanks to the environmentalists who want no oil, no coal, no natural gas, no damns, no bird killing windmills, no nuclear etc etc Better get used to no energy and no jobs.
Build a refinery there, take the pipline budget and put it toward green jobs. Let's make some oil for the US and also get cracking at weaning us off it altogether. Yes, we need jobs, but we also need PERMANENT jobs. Building a pipeline is a temporary fix. Building a core of jobs in alternative energy lasts... Teach a man to fish, as the saying goes.
That's ok Mr. Obama. We will be happy to give our oil to the Chinese. Instead of looking at the big picture, your short-sightedness has cost your country thousands of jobs and a chance to diassociate your country from foreign oil. Good luck in your attempts for re-election. You Lose.
The pipeline will only create about 400 TEMPORARY American jobs if that. What it WILL do is create a lot of Canadian jobs. So essentially what the Republicans want us to do is subsidize Canadian job creation not US.
I think we all know where we can tell the GOP to stick this idea.
This pipeline is just another get richer scheme by the Koch brothers who stand to profit by having the line go through their land. Why not build a refinery in the Midwest and distribute the oil throughout the region. The only reason for taking it to the gulf is so that they can export the oil. If it is approved, Obama should play the same game that the repugs do and tie the approval to a bill ending oil speculation. If the repugs oppose it then, we will know where their loyalties lie.
"No more support for energy dead ends. Green or nothing."
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Your horse and candles are on the way. Have fun!
This whole idea stinks... literally. Are they, the GOP, willing to take the risks should an inevitable disaster happen? Yea... they are. Anything to help make the greedy oil companies set records in profits every quarter. If they get it to NO, it will be exported... count on that. Obama is being responsible for all of us, despite some of the political ramifications.
The GOP is blinded by money... as usual.
Good for the President! You all pushed drilling in the Gulf, when Obama asked for more time to review... He gave into your cries for cheaper oil, cries for jobs... and the freaking thing was an envirornmental nightmare! The PRESIDENT is asking for more time to review the inpact this would have on the enviornment. Freaking Republicans pushing their bad ideas and then pointing the finger when it fails!! Dear President Obama... don't do it!
We already refine this oil in the Mid West. Creating this pipeline just moves jobs from the Midwest, which already has high unemployment, to Texas where unemployment is the lowest in the country. It would raise the cost of fuel in the Midwest as well. It is true the building the pipeline would temporarily create jobs, but in the grand scheme of things this project would simply transfer jobs from one location to another and help the oil company's bottom line. If you want temporarily create jobs, rebuild some of our deteriorating infrastructure, don't risk the environment.
Here are jobs, and not minimum wage jobs being blown off by this inept President. The reason he won't go for it (though originally he was in favor of it) is simple his donators BP OIL told him to veto it. It would cut into their bottom lines. Look it up. Worst President ever? Getting closer and closer to wresting the title from Mr. Jimmy Carter. And no liberals, Bush was not the worst his handling of 9-11 alone keeps him from being in that spot top 5 worst for sure but not the worst.
This president doesn't have a clue. If Barak Owebama is re-elected, it will put the final nail in our country's coffin and put us on the path towards bankruptcy.
We have thousands of miles of oil and gas pipelines crisscrossing this country. We built a major one across Alaska and it benefited our jobs, industries and eliminated importing that much more foreign oil... Hhmm - I thought our Prez wanted us to achieve energy independence. No, let's just keep sending billions of our dollars to other countries by importing their oil??... Yikes, a BAD decision!
The Republicans would sell their souls to the devil if they thought it could earn them some money.
The income levels of the Congress members well explains why they voted against taxing the 1% income levels doesn't it tho!!?
Yes the pipeline would run over water sources, but do some research and you will see that there are plenty of other pipelines currently running over the water supply and aquifers. Canada is our largest oil supplier and they are just going to turn around and sell it to China. Bravo Obama.
A pipeline to North Dakota makes sense.......NOT to Texas
I'm Glad the POTUS took a stand and said no......Oil going still go throug the roof. with or without the pipe line so what's the fuss all about. what we really need is to build high speed roads to get people off the roads
@bellacanadian> Your country already ships the vast majority of your oil to the US for refining. There's no way you'd start shipping it to China for that purpose. Too expensive.
Plus, all we already ship a lot to China from our Alaskan fields. They don't need yours.
Have a nice day
my opinion pipe lien will not serve to our best intrest in america we may be will geg a 1 percent of oil and the rest will be sold to other countries if its not the case then why noying the american peoplet bring the pipe line to colorado oklahma why to shores of texas i think they are playing the american people.and this is onley my opinion
Obama is know for his Head Fakes Obama could approve The
Keystone Pipeline ...then get the EPA to stop it.,, The only way to be
sure in will be built is to get rid of OBAMA
Obama would rather support the repression of women in middle eastern oil producing countries than have oil from a democratic country like Canada
I understand President Obama's decision to review this plan. Even though running this pipeline down the middle of the United States will bring jobs, I personally believe the plan will welcome serious threats to the country. All who oppose Obama will blast him for "Not creating more jobs" but the logical thing to do is also reflect the serious downfall that will affect everyone else.
Let me get this straight. We have 1000's of miles of pipelines in this country yet one more is an ecological disaster. Keystone has already agreed to reroute the line away from the auquifier. This will create jobs. The refineries in Texas are already designed to handle heavy crude. There are pump stations along the way so IF you ever had a leak you can shut it down. Not to mention a clean up on land is must simpler than one on the sea. No to this administration it is smarter to ship oil in from the all our great friends in the middle east and Venezula across the ocean. We all no that ships don't sink or have oil spills. Wait what is the picture on the front page of all the newspapers. Do ships normally sit sideways like that?
Brilliant. Now it will be piped across canada to Vancouver and onto ships bound for China. With every decision, I'm completely sold that this president has no idea as to what he's doing.
There are already oil pipelines all across Canada and the USA underground and they are far safer then transporting it by freighter. Technology in pipelines today can detect leaks and shut valves off instantly, and yes if there is a leak some oil will get out, but it is far safer then water transport. Does it not make more sense though to build a refinery somewhere closer to the Canadian border, that way, not having to pipe it all across the U.S.? Obviously more cost, but maybe cheaper long term?
The big picture – we need to stay dependent on Oil? Other than the obvious terrible environmental impact (I know the Republicans don't care about this – they're running on the platform of eliminating environmental regulations), why would we just make it harder to turn to green energy? A Congressional study concluded that the pipeline project would likely result in a net LOSS of American jobs due to the infrastructure changes through which the pipeline is built and the associated supporting jobs.
Republicans are just using another political tactic of assuming all their followers would be dumb enough to only read the word "jobs" and take them at their word again.
Finally–we have a president who will stand up for what is right and good for the people of this country! He will stand up for our health through environmental regulation, help us get back on the right track by bringing back financial regulation, religious freedom( which includes freedom FROM religion as well), changes to the stupid NO child left behind testing, and better policies for education and foreign countries. He is the SMARTEST BEST president we have had in long time.
Today another FAILURE; this shows the lack of leadership from the White House and the Democrats in Congress. The majority of Americans see president Obama; the Obama administration as a complete FAILURE.
Just another reason the price of gasoline has increased of 50 % since 2008. The American people are going to blame Obama and the Democratic Party in Congress for this mess.
We can’t produce more energy from oil, but we can waste 4 billion in tax payer dollars on “Green energy programs”. How much of this money is being bundled and sent back to the Obama campaign?
@CaliforniaBC – wrong. Canada is currently reviewing a proposed pipeline to through BC that would allow Canadian bitumin to be shipped to countries like China
Here is a novel idea....The green industry is begging for jobs. Why not create a new green infrastructure. More money thrown at the oil companies is more money thrown at Haliburton. Republicans use "job killer" on every Obama policy to get their way. One could argue that this pipe line is a job killer by ignoring the potential jobs that would be created in a new sustainable infrastructure. Whatever.... sound boards are lame anyway.
Keystone XL pipeline provides no oil for U.S. consumption.
Presents massive risks of using a high-pressure oil pipeline running down the full breadth of the center of the country.
Promotes development of the worst kind of fossil fuels: tar sands.
Does nothing to get us weaned off of fossil fuels.
The President is right in vetoing this hugely flawed project.
North America has excess gas refining capacity. Building a new refinery would be stupid. The US imports a lot of oil, but you guys actually export gasoline. You should want that.
If you don't let Canada build that pipeline, we're just going to sell the oil to China. Is that what you want?
Why are we still pushing for more Gasoline? We recently sent to Cuba, motercycles that run on electricity only. Plug in at home. This is what we should be demanding. No more gasoline or polution. I see enough cancer stories and you wonder why? Polution we eat, breath, drink every day. But it's these big Oil Companies, polititions, lobbyists who want this for money for them.
I'm a Canadian and go ahead Obama, turn down the Keystone Pipeline Proposal. We'll either refine our oil in Canada or ship it off to your buddies in China. And all your fellow citizens can continue to pay more for your oil. That sounds like a reasonable political decision to me.
The pipeline is a bad idea. It keeps oil prices high because it doesn't add capacity. We should force the oil companies to build more refineries at the source so oil prices will drop. Also, a lot of private farm land will be taken for eminent domain to build the pipeline and if that's not government overreaching I don't know what is.
Another poor decision by the job killing president Obama.
Well. even though I would not mind driving a horse and carriage to work and have the horses and carriages to do so, I still think this is a bad decison. Makes the US weaker and China stronger and strengthens ties between Canada and China. China won't have to take over the world. It can just buy it. This is a stupid, stupid move.
Better keep the environment clean because when no one can afford the outrageous cost of consumer goods due the price of fuel, we're all going to be living outside, in the environment. I already have a cave staked out, just gotta get the bears out. Actually, I'm probably not allowed to disturb the bears habitat. Maybe I'll just dig a hole.
Thanks Mr. President! This decision takes real thought and backbone...I thank you, our environment thanks you...and the future residents of this planet thank you! THIS was a bad deal for the world...
Side note – Unions want this pipeline. I thought you all said Obama was a Union Crony. Obviously it's going to get approved then, right?
GOOD. This project is bad for the envionment and the jobs have been overestimated. It is nothing more than a pet project for big oil. For those conservatives who complain, PASS THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT! IT WILL CREATE MUCH MORE JOBS THAN THIS ECO-KILLING PIPELINE!
To push this through as a ploy during an election year is WRONG!
And as for Boehner – we are still waiting for you to come up with those jobs you promised back in 2010!
Independent In Albany
A pipeline to North Dakota makes sense.......NOT to Texas
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Whatcha gonna do with it in North Dakota? Build a refinery there? Cool!!! Oh by the way – how are you gonna get the refined products to market?
Great move Obummer!
USA dollars now go to the middle east while Canadian Oil will head to China.
Canada Wins.
The Middle East Wins.
China Wins.
Who loses?
It is truly amazing how some of you have no idea what you are talking about - do you really think the pipelines are going to run on top of the ground - ridiculous. Once again, most of you don't have any idea what you are talking about. Here's some facts for you: Pipelines are by far the most efficient and cheapest way to move large amounts of liquid, costing only about a third of transport by rail or barge. According to the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, there are 95,000 miles of pipelines in the United States for transporting refined petroleum products — by far the most extensive such network in the world. About 70 percent of petroleum in the United States is moved through pipelines. We'll see how you all feel this summer if gas goes to $5.00 a gallon - sure at one point Obama said he wouldn't care if gas went to $10.00 per gallon. The Keystone Pipeline would create jobs and by the way, Union jobs. This is just another ploy by Obama and his administration - on and on it goes with very limited creation of jobs.
so, what's new? same o same o!!!
The only purpose for this pipeline is to export the oil not to save Americans money.
The big picture is this, how many of you stupid people really believe there will be thousands of new jobs available, raise your hands hahahahaha you do know these jobs are already taken by company people of the pipelines dont you or is everyone stupid.
I guess that the jobs that this pipeline will create are not "shovel ready" enough. Also GE probably can't make any money on it – so it must be a bad idea – and we know who is in GE's pocket. This is ridiculous. We know how to drilll and we know how to do pipelines.
Yeah, who needs jobs, nah, not us right? , we are doing so well. PLUS it would be better to get some oil from the middle east where we can just bomb them and get cheaper oil than our neighbors Canada.
Vote for the pipeline. What would you prefer more? $10 per gallon, or half a million jobs for people to prosper?
The pipeline only makes sense to the oil companies. Why is it to go to the gulf coast? Because the refineries are there and they can export the gasoline to other countries and keep the US supply down and prices up. It appears this has no benefit to the US except the oil companies. Another bonus for the oil companies is the gulf coast. Whenever a hurricane or strong storm hits the refineries are shut down raising the price of oil. If the pipeline was really for the US, it would be to new more efficient refineries further from the golf and away from export depots to help the US supply.
THIS OIL IS NOT FOR THE UNITED STATES.
This oil is for foreign countries that buy oil from Canada and we don't buy our oil from Canada.
People keep talking about JOBS from this deal but truck drivers who now transport this oil will be out of their jobs so the jobs that will be created will only come to about 6,000 and the environmental impact will be extensive.
If Obama wants to look at environmental impact studies let him.
I personally feel he shouldn't approve this project even if the studies come back showing no environmental concerns. It's time to stop using oil and move towards alternative energies.
does anyone know what the status of the Alaskan Pipe line is? Is it still broke? Was it ever broke? Is it being used to funnel our American oil to Russia thru the Bering Straits??
The problem with the pipeline is that we don't know fully where it is to go and where it shouldn't be placed to avoid senative areas. We need more fuel efficiency and a greater use of fission, solar and wind among other things. Just adding more oil from the tar sands (harder to get oil out of there then other places) isn't the answer. Why should all of this go to a refinery down in Texas? Build something closer that is many times safer, more efficient, and cleaner. That would shorten the pipeline also.
Thank you @thetruthandnothingbut and everyone else who complains that Obama is not interested in jobs. The biggest opponent to the keystone pipeline is the republican governor of Nebraska because he is concerned that having a pipeline run through critical sources of water will risk the long term jobs in the agriculture business. Anyone who is complaining about jobs has proved you are truly a pawn indifferent to facts. Why why why should we sacrifice long term steady jobs for short term jobs? Furthermore the reason this pipeline is being rejected is the very reason many republicans opposed putting the language in the tax extension bill because they knew it would be rejected, and not just by the president but it would continue to receive opposition from the republican governor who wants it to have a different route. Again, the republicans chose politics over pragmatism, and it's the people that get the short end of the stick.
if you aren't willing to create jobs and improve this economy, Mr. president, then get out of the way, and let someone else do it.
There should be NO increase in the debt ceiling, to allow Obama to squander any more money, when he will do NOTHING for his economy.
Go figure, more people working, less people dependent on the Government...the Liberals will never let that happen.
I thought we had it with gasoline? Recently the US had sent to Cuba motorcycles that run only on electricity, can be plugged in at home. Talk about saving money! I don't care for more polution, filth in our lands and waters. But it's these lobbyists, polititions, oil companies who want this for Money. You have seen the mess that occured in the ocean during summer with the oil spilage. Is this what you would want on your lands? Do you wonder why there is so much cancer going around? Polution on our lands and waters. No to Pipeline.
Way to go Obama. We don't need no stinking pipeline snaking through our country with no real benefit to us. U.S. takes all the risk for a few (less than 6,000) temporary jobs. It's Canadian oil, let them extract it and refine it and sell it to whomever. The Republicans are gonna jump on this like a rat on a cheeto, but it's not because they are thinking of the working man. No, they must serve their masters, the oil corporations. The rest of us are just excrement on the bottom of their shoes. Wise up already.
sure are a lot of ill informed righties posting their insane babble....cant you weirdos find some children to molest and just shut up?
I've noticed that the proponents for this pipeline have been advertising for the president to vote for this pipeline and how many jobs it will create. First of all, I don't believe that there will be that many jobs - and if there are, I don't believe it will be people from Nebraska. Secondly, I don't know why they have chose the path that they have. One of Nebraska's greatest natural resources is the underground water. Why would anyone want to risk the possibility of contamination should there be a leak/break in the pipeline. I believe that the people behind this pipeline have a lot of money invested in this project - as apparent through all the big money that has gone into lobbying and advertising. It's time to go back to the think tank on this project. Thank you President Obama for not allowing this pipeline.
While the pipeline may be an eyesore it is certainly a plus from the jobs perspective. State department has been "thinking" on this for 3 years thus far. More "thinking" is not required. I lived in AK for 10 years and the pipeline there is the ugliest thing ever, however, it is mostly secure and safe. No reason to believe the proposed line would be any different at all. This president is not interested in helping economically the citizens of this country. He is not interested in providing opportunity to the unemployed to help themselves. This president must go. Enough said!
Those of you who think that the Canadian oil refined in Texas WON'T go to China are ignorant to how oil is bought and sold on commodities markets. Whether or not the oil is piped though the US, that oil is sold on a global market and much of it will go to places like China.
if he dose not pass this, he just lost my vote.
I thought the Republicans were opposed to job stimulus bills such as this one. Boy, are these guys inconsistent. If Obama had proposed this, the Republicans would be up in arms against this "wasteful spending". We have a real circus here folks.
Considering TransAmerica's current pipeline has leaked 11 times in it's first 11 months of operations, I'm all for additional thought and research before this pipeline is approved. For those who think approving the pipeline will drop oil prices, hence not approving it will raise them – do some reading; it's actually vice versa. The Koch brothers would get even richer off this pipeline.
@PA_outofwork – From reading your comments, it's to see why you are out of work. NO U.S. GASOLINE from this pipeline. Plan is to export it from a tax free export zone. Valero is a major stakeholder. Read a little.
.......Speaking as as a Canadian.......Get this straight America......We don't HAVE to sell this crude oil to you........We have 5 Pacific rim countries standing by just in case our oil is not good enough for you.............
All I ask the government for any more, (as they are useless in all other areas) is cheap oil. It appears they can't do that either. This is just another example of the government trying to dictate our purchases. Obama wants us to pay more for oil so that we are forced to accept alternative fuel and transportation methods. Some may think this is a noble cause. Tell that to our current and fragile economy. Let's quit letting China take over. Make this happen!!!
John said "When is the last time we had a leak? Answer, 1978."
Right wingers need to be reminded they are allowed to have their own opinions, but not their own facts.
Are you forgetting the 800K barrels leaked into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan in 2010?
Obama and the Democrats need to be hammered NONSTOP on this issue. This whole matter points out the complete INSANITY of the leftists and tree huggers. Obama has shown himself the gutless empty suit he truly is. Yet another "I vote Present" display of leading from behind.
Four more years of this insanity and this country is TOAST.
Really? He's for indefinite detention. Why wouldn't he be for a pipeline? He's probably for a twenty foot diameter pipe crossing every citizen's front yard.
How much is the Canada going to pay each state for leased land use by the pipeline that would run from northern Alberta in Canada down to Texas's Gulf Coast.
Fantastic that they left it open for another route. Going around the aquifer instead of over it will create more jobs. Excellent work Mister President!
Where do all of you plan on spending your hard earned money when we have no planet left? You may want to actually do some research yourself before spewing falsities on job creations. If you were to actually check, you would find that the end result would be jobs for a few hundred folks at best. Be smarter than our trusted leaders on either side of the party line, who look out for nothing other than winning a popularity contest. If you think either side is going to make your life any better, you are a fool. This pipeline is essentially game over for the environment. You can say it's bull, but are you really willing to bet youir children's life on it? If so, you are a selfish fool.
John asked:
When is the last time we had a leak? Answer, 1978.
----------–
Wrong Answer. I am not going to hammer you over the head with BP and the Gulf. Instead, I am going to point out that there was a leak in Michigan last year that shut a river down, and it still ain't cleaned up.
If we are to become independent of the Mid East and their oil, why won't Obama look at this pipeline. Is he too much for the oil companies.
Obama will oppose the construction of that pipeline to create more 'Green' jobs...........in China, India & Mexico. Our tax rates, environmental and labor laws make 'Green' industries so unprofitable that the foreign companies can produce 'Green' technology at a fraction of our cost.
To Nick: The jobs act is another stimulus that ensures billions end up in the hands of the favored Obama entities. The net job loss for this presidents term is still hovering around 1.4 million. He should be embracing the pipeline opportunity. By the way, if you dislike using oil so much I hope you are not a hypocrite and still buying it.
NOW Boehner is all about jobs? These are CANADIAN JOBS anyway...not American. I'm happy that Obama is against this.
Hussein the Food Stamp President doesn't like job creation and is a big fan of continuing our insane dependence on Middle East oil.
Well, not a big suprise from the ANTI-JOB PRESIDENT.
Why have temporary contruction jobs, when building the refineries closer to the oil would accomplish that and make permanent new jobs. Follow the money. This is about the oil industry that makes billions in profit off every american and doesn't give a hoot about this country. Who really benefits? Its not us. They have already stated that this new oil is much more expensive to extract. Its only because of the high price of gas now, that they are even willing to do it. In other words, they can make more money. This new oil will do nothing to bring prices down. Follow the money!
"in regards to" REALLY? How lame.
Research this pipeline, my fellow Americans, before you sound off on what you think it is about. If any project were good for America, from jobs to the environment to energy production, every president of either party would sign off on it, especially in an election year. To create thousands of jobs in a down economy, and give America direct access to oil, who wouldn't sign that deal? Then why isn't it being down? TransCanada, the company that will own the oil and the pipeline, wants to get it to Texas and Louisiana to the refineries and the shipping ports, because it has already been either promised or sold to the Chinese government. They don't or can't build it to the west, over the Canadian Rockies, and they can't take it east because of a lack of refineries and the shipping ports are that much farther away from where the oil is destined. Besides the temporary jobs building the pipeline (and they will be temporary jobs between 2000 and 20000, depending on the estimate), what is in it for America in the long run? We won't own any of the infrastructure, or the oil or gas refined from it. Do we really want to let a private corporation bisect the country with a pipeline from which we receive no lasting benefit? And, if there is a spill, yes the private company will eventually have to pay to clean it up, but what happens to the people living in that area, or the land in the area of the spill, or any water sources nearby? I am all for jobs, good paying and satisfying jobs, but there must be something more when the stakes are as high as this. This sort of project will not drop the price of a barrel of crude or a gallon of gas, in our country or most likely anywhere else. Those that are saying it will either don't understand how the oil and gas markets work, or they are trying to sell you on the idea because it will benefit them.
Good! The pipline is a STUPID idea!
All you folks whining about the economy and Obama not getting you enough oil....we need to get off oil. Should have started 40 years ago.
Obama is a foolish young man and will regret this decision. The pipeline would run through my state. Oil pipeline safety records are really very good and with a brand new pipeline, risk is minimal.
The process by which this oil is being extracted in Canada is destroying their land and the GOP not only doesn't care about that fact or the fact further environmental problems could easily occur here in America. They'll scream for the oil – continuing our reliance on petroleum – pretend jobs are at stake and in the end some fat-cat in Texas is going to have their pockets lined with more money. We should be afraid of anything the GOP is pushing down our throats. Their track record is disasterous and all they've done is prevent President Obama from managing this nation properly. There is NOTHING but problems from this Republican led Congress and they are NOT serving the bests interests of our citizens.
This environmental concerns are minimal and not even close to justification for killing the project. Pipeline technology is well established and reliable and environmental impact statements are certainly always done with this kind of installation. Completion of this project is extremely helpful to the American petroleum industry and develops relations with Canada as opposed to Venezuela and other even less stable trading partners.
The objection for this project from the Obama Administration is purely political. It's an election year. Employment concerns run a distant second to anything related to re-election.
In the end, he'll cave. He always does.
this oil is for export not for the US so why should we allow for it to be built? If it was just for the US then I would be in favor of it but to say it will help our dependency of foreign oil is not true.
After Obama threw all that money away on bad green energy projects, including Soylyndra and the "green" car company in Finland, he doesn't even need to open his mouth about green jobs.
I love US foreign policy. We don't want your oil peaceful neighbor. We don't care that Alberta spends more on carbon sequestration research than any other jurisdiction. We want our oil shipped from the Middle East, and we're prepared to go to war with anyone who threatens that supply.
As the largest supplier of oil to the US, I wish Canada had the balls to turn off the taps to the US. Perhaps that would wake up Americans to their dependance on foreign oil. Then the US could pay $300/barrel to Iran and the Middle East and enrich those who hate Americans even further.
No more Blue team, no more Red team, no differance they could care less about the people. Vote No this November. No Incumbants all the way down to dogcather!
These are short term construction jobs for Teamsters, Operating Engineers (the guys that run the digging machines) and pipefitters. The oil will be processed and sold to other countries. Do a little research and the facts jump out at you that this project will not create the number of long term jobs that this country needs. However, it will enrich the oil companies that are proposing it and will fill the coffers of the Canadian government. I wish to hell that there was as much effort by the repuglician party to allow Canadian medicine to come into this country as is being spent of this pipeline. Put a pipeline out to the west coast near Vancouver, B.C., and see how they howl!
Finally Obama is doing something right. I have relatives living in NY that beleive it's the worst environmental diaster to come along in 150 years. This country is soooo short sighted, jobs now for ruin later.
As soon as all you people who are against oil quit using it in your cars, on your roads, in your plastics, I will listen to you. Right now, you are just a bunch of hypocrits.
What a coward Obama is - he'll wait until after the election and then make a decision that further hurts our economy. He and his followers will continue to ride in limos and fly in private aircraft (yes, you, Nancy Pelosi!), but us ordinary hardworking commoners can stuggle to pay our home heating and electricity bills and get killed at the gas pump. Vote him OUT!!
@Michael you stated "I'm Glad the POTUS took a stand and said no......Oil going still go throug the roof. with or without the pipe line so what's the fuss all about. what we really need is to build high speed roads to get people off the roads"
Well Mikey, if you don't want people on the roads, you should start with yourself. If you use a road anywhere, you're an epic hypocrite.
While I may agree that this would bring about many jobs, let's explore the other driving reasons for this
1-help me understand how this is less expensive than building refineries in the northern US closer to the source
2-how would the refineries in the southern coastal states be able to keep up with the new pace of arriving crude. Haven't many of them been identified with significant regulatory issues and need to be taken offline to correct? In the past, haven't many of these refineries already been running at capacity? Again, how would the expenses to build a pipeline AND refit the current refineries be less than build new refineries in the north
3-where is the provision than NONE of this piped crude or it's refined derivatives would be exported outside the US? Especially since we conveniently will piping to COASTAL states – coincidence or what.
I have a real difficult time buying into the argument that this initiative would help reduce the US dependency on foreign oil. How much oil produced on US soils is exported? How much oil derivatives refined in the US are exported? You will have a better time convincing me of this argument when no oil or gas crude or products are exported from the US. But oil companies will not do that because they can get more money for some of these products outside the US – so much for their altruistic motives for additional requests to dig in the US.
Can we call "imminent domain" on the riches of the 1%? They're always taking folk's land for the betterment of society, supposedly...by that, I mean the Economy, our State Religion.
when are you all going to wake up to the fact that our last 4 presidents have been working to destroy the US economy and the middle class. They are manipulating the cost of power by not allowing power new power plant to be built . When are all you morons going to wake up? When you have zero property rights or when the state tells you that you dont have controll over your children anymore? Vote Ron Paul to end this stuff.
This pipeline does nothing to stem US dependence on foreign oil. Some posters on this thread need to know there are different types of crude. Tar sands is the dirtiest of the dirty-there is nothing good about it. If this pipeline is completed this oil must be sold-it will not provide gasoline for the US. It will in all likelihood increase the price of gasoline here. How is it that a foreign company can exercise eminent domain here? I am curious that in all our hatred of all things foreign we are allowing that–because of oil propaganda. It would appear to be so. What makes you think care anything about citizen property rights or aquifers or our endangered species? They care about making money now–and nothing else.
when many of you say "those jobs are temporary" aren't ALL construction jobs BY THE FACT THAT THEY COMPLETE THEM "temporary. c'mon, the construction industry needs a bridge until the real-estate and industrial glut is worked off. The environmental concerns can be addressed, this utterly ridicules.
PA_outofwork
"Just another reason the price of gasoline has increased of 50 % since 2008. The American people are going to blame Obama and the Democratic Party in Congress for this mess."
Typical right wing propaganda. The price of oil has skyrocketed since the secret meeting between Bush and Cheny with their oil buddies right after "W" got elected. And there was this little war thing that "W" started.
Of the options available to the US this makes the most sense and is the safest, both environmentally and financially. Rather than relying on opec you can actually rely on a provider of oil that won't hold the US hostage. And who really believes that this less eco friendly than running miles and miles of highway throughout the same region? And shipping your oil with tankers from offshore drilling sites?
The Keystone project should be opposed. It does nothing to benefit oil supplies in the United States and creates no permanent jobs here. It's simply a conduit to get Canadian oil to the Gulf coast so it can be shipped out.
Thank all the Gods in all the Heavens in everyone's faiths that he is going to oppose this nightmare of an ecological disaster!
The jobs is brought would be terrible and short term, there are WAY better ways of creating jobs than by destroying the planet!
The only test Obama applies is: If it would be good for America...then he's against it. If it would be bad for America..He's for it.
Do you people have any clue on how many oil/gas pipelines are already out there? That Keystone parallels 2 existing pipelines that already cross these areas? That with the oil/gas boom, there are hundreds of large pipelines currently being built through sensitive areas? This one is all political. We need this for: 1) less dependence on Middle Eastern sources or African sources; 2) jobs. All this talk of environmental disaster is BS, once again getting in the way of rationale decisions. Obama has only his political aspirations in mind, not the American people.
ahhhh, so no one knows anything about the Alaskan Pipeline????? HMMMMMMMM. We did build one...... HMMMMMMM
Good!! Now we can build the northern pipeline to the BC coast and sell our bitumen and oil to the Chinese! The USA can keep relying on Iran for its energy needs!
Let's see now – Exxon Valdez, BP Gulf Coast Disaster, Keystone Pipeline – Hmmm – is there something we're missing here? Maybe the job creation the Repubicans boast will be those to undertake a hugely disasterous clean-up or to build new water treatment facilities to deal with contaminated water supplies. Maybe someone is finally willing to stand up to the huge profits Big Oil ships off-shore.
Tankers and Chavez. Clever, very clever. This would have been the first pipeline in the US and God knows Canadians have always been the US's most diabolical enemy. The environment has now been protected and we are no longer dependant on foreign oil. Le's not forget that Iranians will always keep the straits of Hormuz open for us. It's a win win.
Good for the President!!!
I guess bo ner is back after a two month vacation while the rest of us were working. Must be nice weeper.
The pipeline is not good for our country andnour environment and while it might temporarily create a few jobs who is going to clean up shen the pipe bursts? This oil is NOT going to be for the US. Just like theHorizon in the Gulf it's slated to be bought by any country.
BTW bo ner. You teapublikans ran on JOBS, JOBS in 2010. We should be asking you and your band of merry men where the jobs are. I see tantrum boy from VA got his federal money to help repair the damage caused by last year's earthquake. I thought he didn't approve of federal aid for natural disasters! HYPOCRITES!!!!!
Ok, to all the enviros on here... This will not stop Canada from extracting the oil. They will just sell it to the Far East instead. We should be using this oil as it will get us out of Middle East conflicts. Canada is a very safe trading partner. This is a national security issue. All of you who want to spend more money on Education, Healthcare and the Environment should applaud this pipeline. It will reduce our defense spending because we won't need to be as active in the Middle East.
This is a good thing. We don't need these greasy, oily companies polluting any more of our country. I think they have done enough damage.
Good job Obama. Keep it up.
How is not building this pipeline good for the environment. Now the Canadians will sell the oil to the Chinese who will burn all the oil that we were only without all the environmental controls that we have. Wake up people! The Chinese government lies to their own people about the pollution levels and throws people in jail for posting the correct numbers online. Beijing and Shanghai are under a near constant haze of pollution when viewed from space. Not building this pipeline will do more harm to the environment than building it!
For all of you saying build the refinery i Canada, ship the gas to the US – that would still require a refinery. The whole purpose of this pipeline is to bring supply to the already existing refineries in the Gulf Coast area. It is extremely expensive to build new refineries anywhere and the Gulf Coast has excess capacity. A refinery then either loads product on to ships or puts it back into a pipeline. So regardless, you need a pipeline to buy Canadian Oil – its just a question of whether it is carrying refined or unrefined product. There is a better business plan to utilize existing refining capacity. In fact no new refineries have been built in the US or Canada in 30 years. Oil is used wherever it is delivered along the shortest delivery route. That is why Maine uses Newfoundland oil refined in New Brunswick across the border, California uses Saudi oil brought in from tankers, and British Columbia uses Alaskan oil. Plus each of these would use a variety of sources. Its all about efficiency of delivery.
This project is being killed largely due to lobbyists from Saudi Arabia who want to maintain their market share in the US. Saudi is also calling for the US to 'deal' with Iran as well. So apparently its better to continue to fight war after war and prop up totaltarian middle east governments in order to maintain campaign contributions. The grand joke is that the US and Canada would be totally self-sufficient in oil if the will was there! instead we are beholden to the middle east, Venezuala etc
The U.S. Government never ceases to amaze me. It has become totally paralyzed and unable to work for the people; only to protect themselves, their parties and their positions. President Obama has been so disappointing in not living up to the ideals he once portrayed. What happened to democracy and a once great country?
I found this:
Pipeline Quick Facts
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System was designed and constructed to move oil from the North Slope of Alaska to the northern most ice-free port in Valdez, Alaska.
Length: 800 miles.
Diameter: 48 inches.
Crosses three mountain ranges and more than 30 major rivers and streams.
Cost to build: $8 billion in 1977, largest privately funded construction project at that time.
Construction began March 27, 1975 and was completed May 31, 1977.
First oil moved through the pipeline on June 20, 1977.
More than 16 billion barrels have moved through TAPS.
First tanker to carry crude oil from Valdez: ARCO Juneau, August 1, 1977.
Tankers loaded at Valdez: 19,625 through April 30, 2008.
The mission of Alyeska’s Ship Escort Response Vessel System is to safely escort tankers through Prince William Sound.
Last updated July 8, 2011
sorry welders, truck drivers.steel plants, hotels, resturants workers in the midwest...you just been screw over....
1978 was not the last pipeline spill in the US...it was July 2011 when EXXONMobile spilled 42,000 gallons into the flooded Yellowstone river that flooded 40% of the properties along the river. By October 2011, the 1,100 EXXON cleanup crew could still not remove the toxic sludge from people's property. Farmers have been devastated with little chance of recovering that land anytime soon. That was surface water. And it was a MUCH smaller diameter pipe than the proposed Keystone pipeline. Imagine the Keystone pipeline leaking into the fresh water aquafers that supply 8 states in the middle of our country where much of our food is produced as well. By the way, I saw a documentary on the Canada tar sands. The reported ended the documentary by saying (paraphrasing here) "Don't get excited about the US having access to this new oil source. The Chinese have already bought the rights to the oil here in Canada as they are doing in other parts of the world." Thank you, Obama, for doing the right thing.
Endanger the environment while providing jobs for a paltry few? Why not build refineries at the source rather than piping the oil to Texas?
YAY!!! It's a dirty idea, developed by dirty minds, and dirty people support it.
If he dose not pass this, he just lost my vote
Nobama will never pass on the opportunity to force more once hard working Americans into the government servitude and increase thier voting base. If he were really environmentally concerned he would step in over goods made in other countries where they do far more pollution damage with thier coal fired power plants. It is one planet after all so in the long run it really does not matter where the pollution originates.
Isn't oil from Canada oil from a foreign country too. Regardless if the battle is between us and China then we need to grab it while it's ours to grab. Sounds like further work is needed on the environmental reports but if the delay is just to complete paperwork rather than to determine a go/no-go then let's get started on the pipe and finish the reports in tandem. Apply the environmental recommendations as we go. Not sure how Obama can risk this, if China gets this franchise it would be political suicide for a second term.
They just dropped an extreme amount of oil in the ocean and couldn't figure out how to make it stop and now they would like the opportunity to do it on land. What a joke. The politicians pushing this have the money to move when things go wrong. They take no thought for the everday people who will be affected by a mishap. A job is no good if it is detrimental to your health. But logic seems to be a little scarce these days so the politicians will push and their naive followers will support it and then after talking so much about states rights and the rights of corporations, they will call the national government to help fix it.
TwM wrote:
Here are jobs, and not minimum wage jobs being blown off by this inept President. The reason he won't go for it (though originally he was in favor of it) is simple his donators BP OIL told him to veto it. It would cut into their bottom lines. Look it up.
------------–
Those are mostly temporary jobs, and not that many at that. It would take years to complete, and couple of years just to get started. The impact on jobs growth will not even be noticed. Your ridicule of BP is a work of fiction. This pipeline would enable the producers to stop selling their product at a discount because of transportation costs.
We in the US reap major benefits from the necessity to sell the product at a discount. The pipeline removes the need for the discount, which means our energy costs in the US go up and so does the producer's bottom line. This pipeline will be a cash cow for the Koch Brothers.
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!
Republicans can stick that tar sands filth up their butts!
There are already tens of thousands of miles of pipelines in this country, with at least 20 of them going over the aquifer in question. (there are aquifers virtually everywhere) This isn't about ebvironmental safety, this is about the enviro-nazis trying to put us all back into the stone age by killing every possible energy source we have.
Obviously, President Obama knows how this looks (especially during an election year). There are reasons why this project is being opposed by this administration. Besides for the potential for an environmental disaster (rather intentional or unintentional), we need to ask ourselves why is there a necessity to pipe this crude oil 1500 miles to a refinery in Texas, so that is can then be rerouted back to the rest of the country. It is simple to figure out if you follow the money trail. Next, we need to ask ourselves why we have not built a major oil refinery since the last one in Garyville, LA went online in 1976. This commodity is making the rich oil companies richer. They have pushed out smaller oil companies to monopolize this industry long enough. This is not an issue of the executive branch relentlessly preventing the creation of jobs, but a strategic maneuver to stop the five big oil companies from digging their roots deeper into the heart of America. We need to concentrate more on alternative fuels, more innovative engine designs and regulate fuel efficiency standards better. We bailed the big three auto manufacturers out, it time for them to show us (the people of this country) they can now do something for OUR country in return, other than pad their financial portfolio's. We as people of this country need to stop relying on our government to bail everyone out and become more accountable for our own mistakes and learn to move on. A good man once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” (J.F.Kennedy). Maybe we need to look back in time and revisit the idea’s that actually worked.
@susan – "The Republicans would sell their souls to the devil if they thought it could earn them some money."
Sorry suzy, but the Democrats long ago sold their souls to the devil because they thought it would give them more power to control the American people. Enjoy yourself on Judgement Day!
The environmental studies have been going on for the past 5 years.
Plus we already have thousands of miles of oil and gas lines running throughout the country, this one is no different.
It's purely a political move to delay the pipeline until the election is over.
Once the election is over, the construction will start.
If the alternative route is build, sending it to BC to be refined (where there are existing refineries) then the Pacific North West will be awash in oil supplies, meaning that not only will much of it be exported, but that Alaskan supplies will have their prime markets filled with lots of competition (BC currently is Alaska's largest oil customer). Alaskan oil will then likely be exported in larger quantities – with the classic result that Alaska will be extracting oil against environmental wishes, to feel hungry Chinese oil markets!
This new pipeline, btw, represents only a 1% (yes only one percent!) increase into total miles of pipeline already crisscrossing the US and Canada.
Job Killer...this president will go down in history as the biggest loser. Blowing what was a history election to a infamous administration on economy and the nation's stature to the world.
From a Cornell business study: A) Most of the equipment for the pipeline has already been built, so a lot of the touted job creation is hogwash B) the pipeline will divert the oil from Midwest refineries, so once again, the net jobs created will be much reduced due to job losses there C) The oil is going to Gulf coast refineries partly owned by Saudi Arabia, hence the indirect job creation through profits is also reduced. In addition, Gulf coast refineries export some of the oil, hence the impact on our foreign oil dependence will be affected only very minorly.
Big point being overlooked here. Nebraska citizens rejoiced last year when this project was delayed because they did not want to risk there natural resources. Obama never said NO FOREVER, he just said NO to the current plan to take the pipeline through Nebraska.
Come on Republicans I thought you were all about states rights! "Blah...Blah...Blah...States Rights!....Blah...Blah...Blah" (And the Republicans go wild!!!!!)
Tom from Canonsburg
"Why does Texas need more jobs? Build the refinery in Montana."
Because the RNC isn't funded by people in Montana.
I guess if job creation means toxic spill clean-up crews, than yes, it's would create jobs. And the oil is slated to be sold overseas, so it does nothing to ensure our oil dependancy. And it will surely poison everything in it's path. Don't sign it.
President Obama, thank you. You have stood for what's right.
All you eco-nut cases who are glad he said no are fools. You are the same morons who said the Alaska Pipeline would destroy the carabou, elk, moose and the environment? Still waiting on that. As a matter of fact, carabou, elk, moose population have increased and remain at a healthly level. These animals use the pipeline for warmth. But as long as you cost jobs and the economy to grow...you all seem pretty content. We all know for sure what our fearless community organizer stands for. The fundemental failure of America
The amount of pure insanity being sprayed on this comment section is trulely astounding. No this pipeline does not create jobs, at least not in the long run. Sure a few short term workers might be hired to build it, but thats only for the construction what percentage will stay past a year (not to mention this is a Canadian project so it may be Canadian workers).
Also this will NOT lower gas prices. This pipeline is designed for exporting the oil out of Texas not to mention our country is currently exporting oil as well. Oil prices are determined by speculation not supply/demand.
And lastly these pipelines are not safe and often leak. Look up the recent leak in Yellowstone park which happened last year.
Wow Obama is doing it again stopping jobs in america. Now don't forget you get water and other resources from Canada. I guess we will have to now sell to China and other countries . You stopped the oil we can turn off the water and electric power etc. Think about it when you vote us Canadians want a leader in your country that is not afaid to trade up north.
Gasoline that comes from strip-mining tar sands for oil will cost $10 to $15 a gallon. Why do you think they haven't pushed it before? We've known it was there for 50 years. Even though the pipeline had been concieved for decades, the big oil corporations didn't start the big push for it until oil hit $147 a barrel in July 2008. If big oil thought gas would stay below $4 a gallon they wouldn't touch these tar sands with a 10 foot pole, much less a 1000 mile pipeline. So, how much would it cost to fill your tank at $15 a gallon?
John, you're wrong. The Northridge Earthquake in '94 resulted in a snapped oil lines. In '91, an Exxon line ruptured in northern L.A.County spilling $74,000 gallon into Southern California's last wild river. That's just my neighborhood. How would you like a major pipeline going by your house?
Although I am not a big fan of Obama, this was the right decision. The jobs created are a pittance and they are temporary. The only people to really benefit from this pipeline is Boehner and his cronies who have personally heavily invested in big oil. The BP spill proves we are not able to contain oil no matter what we do. It is the environment and the taxpayer who will ultimately pay the price to clean up the oil mess and remove the pipeline once defunct, not Boehner and his criminal buddies.
Thank you, Mr President.
Its time to take a stand!
Good going.
Jim , Va.
"Another poor decision by the job killing president Obama."
I got laid off last June and found a new job in less than a week doing software and dsp engineering. If you don't have a job, perhaps you should consider your own personal failings before blaming the President.
JGW:
Obviously you don't have a clue that gasoline is currently distributed around this nation by long distance pipelines which run over aquifers etc....
Obama is destroying the US energy infrastructure. He has become more dangerous to Americans than al Qaeda could have hoped for. The poor and middle class will suffer as they struggle to provide energy for their families. Businesses will lose in the global market because Obama will have increased energy costs to horrific levels. The only hope for America is to oust Obama! He even ticked off US labor unions with his latest regulation fiasco to stop the pipeline. Every American should be asking for immediate impeachment and jailing. He had to know that Blago was selling his Senate seat – if no other charges are obvious. The environment is important, but who is responsible for the deaths that will occur because the environmentalists used junk science to convince the ignorant media and the stupid politicians to shutdown US energy? Environmentalists are more dangerous than the Taliban. Yes, environmentalists don't stop girls from getting an education, they make sure girls and boys get a junk science education! Liberal Democrats must be ousted! NOW!
Say goodbye to:
1. 100,000 jobs
2. Cheaper oil
3. Energy from a politically stable source
4. An environmentally friendly means of transporting oil
5. Strengthened relations with Canada
6. President Obama
Did I leave anything out?
Not only is obama killing jobs, hindering the relationship between us and Canada, but he is also ensuring that we continue to buy oil from muslim murderous regimes in the middle east......(Something he promised to reduce during his campaign). He is a liar, a weakling, and a muslim appeaser....and some people here actually agree we should not approve the pipeline....to you I say......are you stupid?
Most of the stools on here have no clue. Why don't they just build new refineries? Let's see, oh Obama and the democrats have regulated that to the point there will be no new refineries.
it's dirty oil we could have a spill. Well if came from the ground in which trees, shrubs, and other plant grow in.
The republicans have invested money into big oil so we shouldn't build the pipeline. Well the fact is that democrats do too.
There are already pipe lines from Canada to holding tanks in Oklahoma, but you are too stupid to know that.
Actually most Canadians want to refine the OILSANDS in Canada but since the refineries have already been built and upgraded to refine Canadian CRUDE, why would the companies(almost all US owned companies Exxon Shell Devon Conoco etc) want to build more refineries in Canada? Also, You do know TransCanada already owns and operates a large pipeline that goes from , you guessed it, Alberta Canada down to the Cushing Oklahoma, that was phase 1, approved and built and finished last year in the good ol US of A. The reality now is another Canadian Pipeline Company is set to build a pipeline to the West coast and start shipping oil to China. Sounds like Canada might be shipping twice as much now. On the Job issue, 20,000 jobs may be temporary for 12-24 months but the spin off are real. You have service companies, manufacturer's, small business , hotels restaurants etc for 1 to 2 years. I think most places would welcome the business.
I love the right wing rant about job killing policies. So, let me get this straight, cheap easy oil is pretty much gone. The other oil is hard to get to, which raises prices, and it has much more of an impact on the environment. From what i understand, the oil sands up in Canadia have a lot of oil, but they are absolutely destroying the land form miles to get to it. maybe the price we will pay in the long run is much worse than the price we will pay in the short run. America needs to get smarter and understand that we can use our brains to get a better way to transport ourselves and our goods. Oil will not last forever. better start now.
Why is this news not important enough to be blasted at the top of CNN's page instead of a one-liner buried below?
Brilliant. Now it will be piped across canada to Vancouver and onto ships bound for China.
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As opposed to being piped across the US and onto ships bound for China? Do your homework.
... remember 'DRILL BABY DRILL!!!?!?'. Then the Gulf oil spilled happened and all you heard were crickets chirping on the right! 'I' remember ther GOP 'flip-flop' back then! How about we let somebody (President Obama) make a calutated/educated decision on something (the proposed pipeline) that has so much potential environmental impact on our country? The one we all have to live in. How about we (the people of the United States of America) make sure that the proposed 'job creating' pipeline is safe for our families and our country before approving any deal? Unlike the GOP, the President is not just saying NO, he is saying lets make sure the pipeline will be safe so we are not using all the hard earned tax paid dollars that will be made from the project going to another oil disaster clean up project if we are too hasty in approving this project ... ALL THE JOBS CREATED WON'T MEAN SQUAT IF THAT HAPPENS!!! I WANT THE JOBS FOR US THAT MAY BE CREATED BUT LETS BE SMART ABOUT IT FIRST AND MAKE SURE THE PROJECT IS SAFE!!!
People talk about this will help lower gas but the oil company is producing more right the demand and sell the extra gas over seas. It will help create jobs for the time it take to build. Then you right out of a job when it finish.
Is this any surprise to anyone? Obama only wants to give OUR money to failing companies like Solyndra. That way we will go broke sooner. We have 60,000 miles of pipeline now why not more. Obama wants Canada to give it to China.
Some of you make very GREAT points. You others really needs to look at how this started first and that everything is not going to happen over night. We all are in this the question is what are “ WE THE PEOPLE” going to do. Its easy to sit back and post things that don't contribute but look how your beloved BUSH Jr. left us.... Now the current President is so bad. Its like trying to quit smoking over nite.
hummm wonder why corporations avoid this country like the plague. Way to go Sheepole following this loony off the edge of a cliff. when the words economy collapses due to fuel cost thank Barry for it.
There is no legitimate reason to build this pipeline, except greed. Jobs? Not many; pipeline maintenance is where oil companies go cheap. Lower gas prices? Nope, that's tied to market prices for oil and rising demand from China easily outstrips this drop in the bucket. This thing is an environmental disaster cluster bomb. It carries oil from tar sands, which is acidic and abrasive. Pumping it at high pressure is like sandblasting the pipe walls while eating them with acid. A similar pipeline in Montana released 843,000 gallons when it ruptured in 2010. A Keystone pumping station in ND (that's right – same company, and will connect to the XL pipeline) released 17,000 gallons in May of last year. Every year there are over 100 pipeline spills of 2,100 gallons or more, and they should be allowed to build one over 8 states and a vast source of public drinking water? There is no amount of profit, jobs, or savings at the pump to make this worthwhile.
Once again Obama shows his true colors, rather then do something good for this country and help people, he decides not to. OBama does not care for the common working person. HE would rather continue to inport Crude from the Middle east. We all know why, so he can help support his Muslins brothers, and help them run this country into the ground. I say he needs to be brought up on treson charges. Obama bad for you , bad for this country.
This is just one reasn why Obama will be a one term and DONE president.
Obama rather waste more money on projects like Solyndra....pathetic
Don't budge Obama. Not enough research has been done on this pipeline. The Republicans just want to see you out come election time and they will do anything including throwing the economy over the cliff. People need to realize the GOP establishment can no longer be trusted. They have no beliefs anymore and it is just about money.
Either way is fine with me. However....if Democrats want Obama to be FDR then they would be in favor of him approving the pipeline. A gigantic amount of public projects, that included, damming many major rivers, the flooding of valleys for power and water, the running of pipelines and power lines all over the hinterland, were all aspects of FDR's New Deal. Before the massive rural electrification of America under FDR, only 1 in 10 rural families had electrical power. Afterward 90% of rural America had reliable electrical service. This also included massive investments in coal fire power plants. So my Democratic friends, if you want a new New Deal, be prepared to settle for a lot of bulldozer work.
any oil pump throgh theline is or the global market not just the US, so it wouldn't effect our prices. secondly all the rivers, Farmland, and aquaducts. We need to make sure this thing is safe. How quickly we forget that almost a year ago we almost killed a sea. Stops letting these GOP and oil companies sucker you people when the bottom line is profit. They don’t care about America, they don’t care about jobs or you….
He rather waste more money on projects like Solyndra....pathetic
Obama makes Jimmy Carter look smarter everyday.
@CaliforniaBC ... If you are selling Alaskan oil to China, energy independance is not high on the priority list... despite it being a repeated topic in successive State of the Union speeches from presidents from BOTH parties. As for the Chineese not wanting to buy our oil,,, you are insane... As soon as the decision was put off the first time our govt said 'ok, no problem, you do not want our oil, we will sell it to someone else'.
The Keystone Pipeline project is a horrible idea: it creates only temporary jobs to Americans, puts the enviromnent at risk, polutes deep water aquifers, and violates private property rights.
All for the sole purpose of increased profits for oil companies and the polititians that are in their pockets.
In addition, it will not reduce the price of gas because most if not all of that oil will be exported by the Canadian companies refining the oil (why else pump it all the way to the Gulf?).
This American says to our President: don't just kick the can down the road; kill this nasty project once and for all.
What do you people want? To live in the stone ages? This country is falling so far behind because of all the idiot tree huggers, One idiot talks about it being a terrorist attraction? So because your afraid of people, you dont build things? With that idiot thinking, we shouldnt build anything taller than 30 stories then, other wise it will be a terrorist attraction. Lets build holes in the ground and hide and live off of bugs, would that make you happy? Stop. your ruining a country that I was hoping my kids would enjoy.
OldSkoolfan: I would like to see some facts to support the 2.7 million job claim.
Wow what a collection of morons we have commenting here. I guess when you are a lazy liberal it is much easier to blame the oil companies than think. First we have nearly half a million miles of existing oil pipeline in the US with an extremely good safety record. Second this would be good for the US economy as we could buy this oil and its being directly piped to US refineries (The Canadians won't guarentee us all of the oil (why would they?)but economics argues we would get most of it anyway). Just another example of environmentalism shooting itself in the foot.
Not only are the jobs this will create overestimated, but most will be temporary and probably auctioned out to to foreign companies.
The handful of people that will profit from this pipeline, will promise anything to get it rolling.
As in the past, they know once it's approved, there will be no stopping it.
This is why we can't let the Grand Oil Party run this country.They could care less about the American tax payer and worker that made them wealthy in the first place. Bring all of our jobs back to this country, then we'll talk.
Good, this project was only good for the filthy rich, power mongering corporation who couldn't care less about raping our natural resources. Meanwhile they live in exotic place around the world. The world is their oyster and they have plenty of money to insulate themselves from the harsh realities that they leave behind in their wake..
Overall it needs to be passed and will eventually be passed, likely holding out until the GOP nomination is set, and Obama is just holding out to make sure he and the Dems get the best deal they can, as they have to make up for a few past blunders in debt ceiling, payroll tax, Bush tax cuts, unpassed jobs act, etc.
people are complaining about pipelines being terrorist targets... please.... Portland Maine has 2 pipelines that run over 1.000 miles to canada. Never had an issue, never will
The Chief Campaigner has struck again, seeking only to get votes for himself. Seeking to balance the unions (who will come out for him anyway) and the enviornmentalists (who oppose this because they want wind power), he sided with getting votes for him. The only job he is concerned about is his. I can wait to get rid of this clown in November. Can we vote next week?
Obama's has got a 100% track record. Wrong on every decision. Right if it involves killing jobs. Right if it involves latching on to far left fringe groups like these so-called environmental groups when making decisions. Right if it involves never having the worker in mind when making a decision. November can't come soon enough & this country will not survive another 4 years of this moron.
"Truth and Nothing But the Truth" You know that this proposed pipeline would go through our Midwest states' under ground water reservoir and could contaminate millions of gallons of water, endangering millions of people right?
China will buy it now
they are already drilling off the coast of Cuba
The oil pipeline would not harm the environment. The chance of it opening up is miniscule, and even if it did, it wouldn't take long to mitigate the problem. However, the problem of Americans not being able to feed themselves, pay their mortgages and deal with the rising rates of everything else is actually the BIGGER problem. And Obama doesn't care.
This will come up again after the elections. IF he is re elected, he will pass it with flying colors with work to be done by unions.
This is one I just don't understand. There has never been an incident involving a major oil pipeline in this continent, let alone country. I voted for Obama, but this is the stonewalling kind of crap that the Republicans are usually behind, andwe certainly do not need anymore of it in Washington. Sad.
No problem, we'll just sell it to China. You snooze, you lose.
Obama is a moron. He wants gas to reach over $5/gal. What a jerk! He couldn't care less about the American people. He has alegances elsewhere. Get him out!! 1.20.13 the end of an error!!!!!
Hey grand oil party guy. That would be a great idea building more refineries, but these tree huggers wont allow it, that is why I cannot recall the last refinery built in this country. And that is yet another reason why gas is going up. You all like to blame Washington and rich people, try blaming yourselves. you arent helping any
go live in a hut
This is good news, this oil pipeline will create only very few permanent (unlike what the Republicans would have you believe) and will only harm the environment, water aquifers, and countless farmlands. This is bad project and does not help us ween ourselves off of our oil addiction and into the sustainable and replenishable energy resources. Thank you Obama! Good man, good man.
How long can an environmental reacearch report take? One would guess as long as Pres Obama wants. If terrorists had the capability to disturb our food supply ya think they wouldn't do so anyway.
A Canadian and his oil are soon parted.
And yes, Obama is a Union Crony. He is making sure he gets the environmentalist money now and will cash in on the Unions later.
Yet another in an endless stream of reasons to throw President Failure out the door in November.
Why do I even look at these comments, they make me sick. I am going outside to pee on a tree and kick a squirrel. Try to stop me......
As others have posted, we already have several hundred thousand miles of pipeline in the US. This is not an enviornmental concern as it is one of the cleanest ways to transport crude. We need this pipeline. "opponents express concerns about the nation's oil dependency being further embraced in regards to not rushing a decision" This is a joke. The concern should be the nations FOREIGN (Middle East) dependency. The situation in the middle east could change in a heartbeat. It sure would be nice if the US didn't have to rely on Middle East crude. That doesn't mean that we don't need to look at alternatives. That means we need to change the situation, so we don't have to worry about energy from the middle east.
canada is our friend . we need the work and we need the oil. DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I don,t want to be buying oil from China. I don,t want to buy anything from China. run the pipeline.
I love how socialist governments get involved in private business matters.
what is wrong waiting until the proper enviornmental assessments are properly completed? This is the same industry that caused the spill into the gulf – that cost over 40 billion dollars, and it is still not clear what the final impact to nature, people and jobs will be. Republicans just want to make a political point by saying decide now – and all else be damed. I say do it right the first time, which we failed to do in the gulf.
Wow!
I see a lot of people drinking from the Obama Kool Aid. Job numbers way overblown? don't need it?
Have you checked the unemployment, trade deficit, debt numbers not to mention the rising costs of gas?
How long are you going to continue to live in denial?
why don't some of you numbskulls do a bit of research before you speak about this pipeline......do folks living in the states really want this pipeline thru their states...............its toxic what about leaks..... some of U have o'd on faux news
You people pouncing on the President for this decision are really just full of hate...that's all it is. If this pipeline ever goes through it will NOT mean our gas prices will go lower as the oil will be sold on the open market as it is now. We will not have rights to use the gas it produces on our soil. You people need to get a grip on reality...the oil industry is controlling our world and we MUST move toward alternative energy sources. As far as jobs, the number this pipeline will create won't put a dent into the recovery but creating jobs to fix our infrastructure certainly would but the Repubs/Tea Partiers have fought against that since it was in President Obama's jobs plan.
There are currently 2.3 million miles of pipeline carrying petroleum products and other haz materials criss-crossing the US. 55,000 miles of that total carry crude oil, some going through the same general area as proposed now. Ir we can't get this thing permited and on lone for construction there is a serious problem.
Boehner's crying about the lack of jobs? Since when does he care about jobs, other than his own? What a putz! He's spent the past 3 years not leading his party to do something constructive, not cooperating, and not compromising. He has done nothing to benefit his fellow American or his fellow man. What a putz!
Jennifer M
What about the reckless trains already transporting that stuff and double frequency because there is no pipeline. Newsflash – that stuff is already being transported!
Amazing the number of naives who are so blinded by propaganda hate, that they cannot even understand that the TransCanada Pipeline exports Canadian oil thru the US and to the Gulf Coast where it can then exported.
It is not American oil. It is a foreign country confiscating American land and exposing America to environmental risk.
This is why I oppose it.
The idiots who can't find Alberta on a map, and who think for some reason this is an American oil project, do not persuade of the projects benefits. They only persuade to the effect of how utterly gullible THEY are.
I liked Obama, but it is very clear he is in this for himself. As a Canadian, I hope this is overturned because I know China has already offered to pay for a build if we can suppy it. We would make more money from China but we would rather help our brothers in America........ but you can force people.
This has got to be one of the dumbest moves..... I could understand talking about moving it to a safer place, but to not do anything makes Obama a moron IMO.
Its nice to see some people actually understand that this pipeline is owned by a foreign company and will be pumped straight through the U.S, and to the people who want this to happen, may I clue you in to the fact that most of the oil bought by the U.S is bought from Canada already, also most of the people being hired would be non U.S workers.
on another note, we can add 50,000 jobs building long range nuclear missiles, i'm going to support it so that people can work again.
@ John – "How many miles of oil pipeline already exist in the U.S.? Answer, 400,000 miles."
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Then please explain why we need more and why we haven't seen gas prices go down??
You Americans get your own oil. Leave Canadian oil in Canada where it belongs. Our gas prices are high too... Why should we give our oil to you Americans while we continue to pay through the roof for our gas??
"The number of Americans who say economic conditions in the country are "very poor" has dropped dramatically, according to a new national survey".
But according to a CNN/ORC International poll released Monday, most of those people switched from describing the economy as "very poor" to "somewhat poor." The survey also indicates there's been little change in President Barack Obama's approval rating.
Simply put, Americans are now able to see through the smoke and mirrors as well as studying up on the issues. Why is this president and his moronic administration doing some of the exact same things they condemned President Bush for? Americans now understand the president's rhetoric for what it is; just rhetoric. Americans now understand that "Hope and Change" was just bogus rhetoric/dream. And most of all, Americans are now starting to determine that the "Divider-in-Chief" that was crowned slightly three years ago is clueless and way in over his head. And because of his political ideology, he has surrounded himself with equally clueless advisors and "Yes Men/Women."
Actually, I am thrilled American is waking up from this nightmare. Now we really need to remember and educate ourselves for the 20102 elections. Under no circumstances lets allow our selves to be hoodwinked, AGAIN!
Here is some honest factual information. (1) The environmentalists want to stop this pipeline because their goal is to stop the tar sands production in Canada which they believe to be do destructive to the environment (yet the Canadian government has approved). But will stopping this pipeline do this? No. China has already signaled their willingness to buy the oil (they need lots) and provide financial support to build the pipeline to the west to a Canadian port. The environmentalists know this but they believe they can slow such a pipeline down in the Canadian provincial courts for many years, drawing things out in the hopes of bankrupting or making the tar sands drillers walk away due to no profits. (2) Once this pipeline is in place and full production, the US can cut it’s dependence on MidEast oil to it’s lowest level in 40+ years. Once in place only 20% of our oil would come from the MidEast. If the US were to combine this pipeline with an aggressive program to support alternative energies (Solar, Wind and such), the US could eliminate MidEast oil as a concern within 12 years (some say 10, others 15). Oh we would still import oil .. but from Canada and Mexico primarily. The MidEast then becomes Europes problem (and as they created the hodge-podge of country borders, they deserve it). (3) Job – this program will create jobs. $7 Billion in spending by private companies will lead to a lot of jobs building the pipeline as well as all the companies supporting it with materials, property taxes for the states, all the businesses supported by people with jobs spending their money, etecetera… (4) Lastly, Obama was in favor of this pipeline until the environmentalists threatened to not donate to his reelection campaign or work in support of it. Only then did the tune out of the White House change. In other words, Obama is willing to trade American Jobs and higher dependence on MidEast Oil for he US for cold hard cash to support his campaign as well as willing volunteers to spread his message of “Hope”.
These are the facts. Yes there are risks with any such pipeline (and the eco-bloggers will be more than willing to share their stories of potential horrors of what might or could go wrong IF the right work and precautions are not taken). I do not deny the risks. But I believe the risks are controlled and managed and very low. And the benefits of his project so greatly outweigh the risks that anyone thinking of how to improve America long term (instead of their own short-sighted goals) would approve of this work.
Its all talk. I'll believe it when I see it. Even though he ran on a platform of breaking our oil addiction in ten years, he doesn't have the nads to stand up to these uber-rich oil barons. He's caved on everything else he stood for....this one will be next. They've got us over a barrel......of oil!
You guys should get your own Oil. Leave Canadian oil in Canada so our prices go down!!!
Your eco policies make no sense and continue to weaken our economy. When the economy collapses under the weight of bad government policies and the FED’s devaluation of the USD the country will be in chaos and nobody will have time to care about the environment…they will be too worried about survival. Our standard of living is tied to the strength of our economy, a fact many of you just don’t seem to understand. The day of reckoning will be here sooner than you think and the environment will be collateral damage to an economic collapse.
Boehner wants to talk about jobs? thats a good question. Where are the jobs Mr.speaker the ones your tea-party congress promised in 2010? where Mr.speaker? The Americans jobs act would create a million jobs if the do nothing congress worked for the American people & not Grover Norquist.
Why do you American even WANT this dirty Canadian oil? The dirtiest oil that exists and you guys want to buy it? Why? Put your money into your own resources.
Environmental reviews are still underway but they want to force the President to make the call... without good information... rush rush rush... wait... why does that sound familiar? Oh I remember now... BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico... vendors wanted completed engineering studies... BP pushed them to commit to a design they reviewed and FAILED those reviews, but ramrodded the build anyway. So.... we wish to repeat this mistake, but this time directly overhead of the drinking water for millions of US Citizens. Take your time Mr. President.
Obama's in a pickle in this one. Stuck between Labor and Environmentalists. Tons of posts stating that the President does nothing about oil, but he was for off-shore drilling until that turned out to literally be a complete disaster.
Well, it was dumb to try to rush the decision. The pipeline is being re-routed, and the new paperwork won't be done until late this year. Forcing a decision NOW means it has to be no.
Of course, the pipeline is a bad deal for America: the oil is not destined for domestic markets, prices won't fall. The existing sections of the Keystone pipeline leaked TEN times just last year. And, since the oil companies pay little or no income taxes, there is no revenue there.
No, trading a few thousand temp jobs for decades of pollution is a bad deal for America. No thanks.
What a great idea to run thousands of mile of oil pipeline through the center of our country over aquifers that supply water to 8 states and many farming communities.
^ All to help a largely landlocked foreign country export their oil to the sea.
This projects name was changed from TransCanada to Keystone for the exact purpose of hiding it's foreignness. I warn everyone to find out the truth about Alberta tar sands catastrophe and don't get played by the GOP.
Obama is putting the good of Americans who will be affected by this pipeline over the profit of a few. This is a Canadian company that will use Canadian full time skilled workers. Very few jobs will be created long term for Americans. The oil is for export and will have no effect on prices here at home..Republicans should have let the normal assessment process go forward instead of demanding a 60 day yes or no on something so risky for thousands of Americans that understandably worried about their land values and water....
Thank you President Obama for doing the right thing as usual,you definately have my vote in 2012
Can anyone out there explain why one more pipeline is such a danger ? There are many pipelines running throughout the U.S. already . When did we have an ecological disaster involving a pipieline ? What about the studies that have already been completed on this pipeline ? It has been re-routed to avoid the aquifers in question .
This is the president trying not to make his voter base angry , thus losing votes that he cannot afford to lose . Some say the jobs will be temporary . So what ? There are plenty of people out here who would be happy to have a good paying job even if it is temporary . It's better than no job at all .
Pass the American Jobs Act. Invest more time in creating clean energy sources... THAT will create more jobs, and less dependency on oil. I'll also note, Obama didn't get us into the Middle East in the first place... you can thank your beloved Bush for that one.
I am truly saddened by the short-sighted stupidity reflected in every post deriding President Obama. I'm not a big fan of the man for many reasons, but JOBS has very little to do with this stupid pipeline. Why stretch a tube across the entire country instead of building a refinery near the Canadian border? if ANY politician wants something so much they can't stop promoting it, it's because they're making money somehow. SO instead of simply saying "if we don't build this pipeline, I won't make millions of dollars with my back door investments based on inside information" they say "we lose 2000 'potential' jobs if we don't pass this legislation"... which of course ticks people off. Additionally, OIL IS DEAD... it will run out. We should be spending 9.4 Billion on technologies of the future. Have you researched TESLA cars? They go 300 miles, prices will be coming down and they're building charging stations where you can swap out your battery for a full charge in less than a minute! And it's 100% AMERICAN. It's called SPIN and Washington is playing you folk like a fiddle. Instead of reacting with such hatred, why don't you LEARN something?
Good!
And I will repeat was Nick said "This project is bad for the envionment and the jobs have been overestimated. It is nothing more than a pet project for big oil. For those conservatives who complain, PASS THE AMERICAN JOBS ACT! IT WILL CREATE MUCH MORE JOBS THAN THIS ECO-KILLING PIPELINE!"
People who claim this will be "America's oil" are mistaken. Oil is traded on a *global* market.
Instead of completely opposing it, Obama needs to make a compromie.
Let us build hundreds of miles of solar panel farms in our southwestern desert regions and we will give you the so called "job creating" pipeline.
BUT THE KEYSTONE PIPELINE WILL RUN OVER THE OGALLALA AQUIFIER!
Perhaps some of you sheep should look up a map that shows the Ogallala aquifer along with existing pipelines...
Then ask yourselves why am I being made to believe that this pipeline is SO terrible.
Do some of you even realize how big the aquifier is? What hasn't been built over the aquifier?
This is a huge PR mistake for the Obama Administration.
If you ship it to Texas you already have the refineries to refine it. You also already have the pipline links to ship it out. Build the refinery up north then you have to build pipelineS out for the various product. Sure some of this oil will be refined and shipped out just like alot of our oil pumped in the United States is shipped out. The United States has always been an exporter of crude product because we have the refining capacity. Point is the oil is coming out of Canada, a stable and friendly neighbor. It will create jobs, some temporary some permanent. A pipeline doesn't maintain itself with all the compressor stations needed or the refineries that refine it. It will cut down on the amount of crude needed to be SHIPPED in which is alot more dangerous situation to deal with. Or we could all go to work in green jobs maybe at Solandra. Oh wait.....
Temp jobs at best. I know about pipeline construction. Short and sweet. Out of 170 miles planted in the dakotas only 6 permanent jobs remain to operate the pump stations.
he just lost my vote
More nonsense from Speaker Boner......YOU SIR said that jobs were your number 1 priority after the election.....You have done nothing but attack womens rights and pass bills that do nothing more than try to decimate our Seniors.....This pipeline is only to provide more oil to your FAT CATS in Texas to process and sell off shore.....that's why you want the extension
Thank God we have President Obama to protect our environment from you "ALL FOR THE RICH" bunch
HOW DARE YOU ASK WHERE THE JOBS ARE
For all you folks that don't want a pipeline, how about you stop using products made from crude oil. I mean everything. That way the price for the rest of us would come down and we wouldn't have so much need of foreign oil.
Just plain STUPID politics......Campaign no. 1 Country no. 2
I think you people in America should learn about the Canadian Oil before bashing it. I am tired of people with wrong information that you have gotten from the press instead of doing research yourself. This is the worst thing Obama can do. Keep the oil coming from the middle east, eventually you won't have access to it if you keep invading their countries.
Guys, guys, guys. Don't worry.
We can always buy our oil from Brazil.
Thank you Obama! You know, given the fact that Canada is still one of the world's largest asbestos exporters (next to Russia) I don't think they really have anyone's health interests in mind. So pumping all of their crude through the heart of our farmland sounds like it benefits them, while we take all the risks. People scream for jobs... but at what cost? At the cost of our lives and our children? It is repulsive. You know what? There are lots of jobs out there that have nothing to do with the oil industry. All you need is an education that goes beyond high school. It would solve two problems, lack of a job and failure to understand why this is such a horrible idea.
I just cannot believe the mentality here. Most Americans are totally unaware that Canada is already the biggest oil supplier to the U.S. There is more oil in the Alberta oil sands for future development than ther is in the entire world, including Saudi Arabia. many times over. Think more than 2 years down the line. As conventional oil supplies run out, and demand increases, WHERE WILL THE OIL COME FROM??!! You can have wars in the middle east and South America over dwindling supplies, or you can buy it from your best friend and biggest trading partner on earth, Canada. This is an opportunity for Canda and the US to secure a position as the major world econominc powerhouse for generations to come. Turn this down now, and the Canadiians will sell it to Asia, they are already planning a pipline to the west coast so Asian tankers can load the crude product,.
And why would this pipeline be any more environmentally dangerous than any of the dozens that already exist?
Sorry American Left, but you cannot cry "We are sick of foreign oil!" all the time while also having a not-in-our-backyard policy when it comes to getting our own oil. Get a grip.
I was led to believe this president was interested and sincere in creating jobs and improving the US economy. Oh well, I have been mislead (lied to) by the current president, AGAIN!!!
Now, can anyone out there tell me, with a straight face, that our current president DOES NOT lie!? We all know he's not supporting the pipeline ONLY because he knows he can not take full credit for it. What demagoguery!!!
Yep, put the decision off! Yet another prime example of this sock puppet's inability, or unwillingness, to lead. Let's continue to be dependent on oil from unfriendly countries who have no problem holding us hostage. Yep, and let's make sure that their workers are employed, not ours. Does this guy read anything besides Golf Digest? The Canadians have made it very clear that if we don't want the pipeline they will build one themselves to British Columbia so they can sell the oil to China. Wouldn't THAT be just great!
I am SO HAPPY that President Obama has remained firm on this issue! Get informed people - #1 The GOPs job creation estimate is grossly inflated. The pipeline will create between 2,000-3,000 TEMPORARY jobs, #2 The oil is not ours and will simply be put out on the international market - having or not having the pipeline will not change gas prices, #3 The environmental risk is way too great when the benefits of having the pipeline are small, and #4 Why are we investing huge sums of money in oil when we need to be investing in future sources of energy? Our grandchildren will NOT be thanking us for continuing to ignore the fact that oil will run out. They will be saying, "THAT was hardly a "greatest generation"! Why couldn't they have looked to the future instead of refusing to change?!?" I am very happy that President Obama is refusing to give in to the GOP who only want this pipeline because it will make the already wealthy oil industry that pays for the GOP's campaigns happy. It is not good for any of the rest of us. OBAMA 2012!!
Great decision, the pipeline purpose is to get oil to the gulf.. It is not our oil, it is to be transported to other countries....Why should we ruin our water source, and land, plus it doesn't provide jobs, very few....just do your homework and find out the real truth, don't believe Big Oil, they couldn't care less about the people and the destruction they leave behind..........
There will never be enough jobs for all the worker drones in this cancer called the human race. The more jobs are created, the more babies pop out. Just since I was a child, America has added over 50% to its population, and the world has added around 70%, and yet we wonder why there aren't enough jobs (and food) to go around. We seem bent on continuing down this path until we all choke on our own excrement, and a president who has the audacity to pause and consider the environmental impact of an ALLEGED job creator is considered a traitor. I don't put much stock in Mayan calendars, but I will be very impressed if we make it through 2012.
So many negative comments against Obama on here I had to double check and make sure I wasn't on the Fox News website..LOL
Thank you, Mr. Presdient for opposing this needless pipeline which would create few jobs at a terrible cost to the huge underground aquifer in Nebraska and the plains states. Thank you for standing up to the greedy Republicans. You've got my vote in 2012!
Largely because of complaints from Nebraska, the State Department agreed Thursday to look for new routes that would steer clear of the state's Sandhills region and the aquifer, which flows beneath eight states and provides irrigation to huge farming areas. That effort will delay a final decision until early 2013.
The Nebraska Governor is a Republican. The Nebraska legislature is controlled by Republicans. REPUBLICANS in Nebraska have DEMANDED these routing changes. They even passed a bill, signed by the Governor REQUIRING it.
It's a Canadian Company which is really owned by the Chinese Government to bring oil to the Gulf to sell to the Chinese...If there is a spill it's on some of our most fertile land over the most important fresh water reserve we have for farmers...Only people that will really make the big money don't even pay taxes...
What't the next thing Obama going to say that he save million of jobs by not going with the keystone pipeline or that he created thousand of new jobs this way....uhhmmmm stop the presses Obama did again he saved us the next title on Newsweek...lies...lies..lies..lies..libs.libs.libs...
Stupid decision.
a) This oil is going somewhere, whether it be in a pipe across America, where any leak is localized and easily contained, or across Canada to be loaded onto tankers bound for Asia, where any spill suddenly affects the BC, Washington and/or Alaskan coastline. Any spill that happens on land will have nowhere near the effect that it will in the oceans.
b) Building a refinery in the middle of Canada, no. From refineries, products are trucked or piped further along. The middle of Canada is a LONG way from most places in America, shipping 10,000 gallon tanker trucks that far is not a very practical idea. If one pipeline containing oil is frowned upon, how will the dozens needed to carry various products to different destinations be viewed upon? Existing refineries already have the infrastructure built to handle the refined products.
c) Yes, construction jobs are temporary. Guess what? Having worked as a contractor, I know that if you don't have projects, people are laid off and told to wait until there is work. Maybe the people working on this project will have just come off another project, but still, that prevents them from getting laid off. Yes, no new construction companies will likely be formed, but people will be brought off of unemployment and put to work. I'd rather give someone a year or two of decent work than simply say "the job is temporary, its not worth creating"
d) Yes, green energy needs to be looked at. However, tiny Iceland, the size of Kentucky with all of 300,000 people, has estimated the time they will be completely fossil fuel free to be around 2050, and they are already far ahead of America. The third largest county in the world, both by size and population, isn't going to be fossil fuel free anytime soon, using the excuse that this pipeline will set back the green revolution is stupid.
I work in Northern Alberta and have watched this political ping pong go back and forth. This is just one decision in a long line of bad decisions that the US has made over the last few years.....stimulus, green energy, housing, bailouts, from my perspective the US has lost its way – Leadership is required quickly.