Keystone XL critics now calling for more indepth climate change study

Fox News ^ | December 16, 2012

[jazusamo]

With President Obama poised to decide whether to allow construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline -- based on a second, more environmentally-sensitive path -- critics now appear focused on derailing the project over a climate change study.

TransCanada Corp. submitted a revised application after the president rejected the first one in January because it took the 1,700-mile-long pipeline across an aquifer in Nebraska.

However, environmental groups say producing oil from Alberta tar sands releases more carbon dioxide than conventional drilling, which would increase global warming, and that studies on the first application were inadequate.

Jeremy Symons, of the National Wildlife Federation, said Sunday the original assessment by the State Department underestimated the amount of greenhouse gas. And he called on the Environmental Protection Agency to do a more complete assessment on the second application.

“We need an honest reassessment, and it’s up to the president to look at all environmental impacts,” he told FoxNews.com.

Symons also suggested the State Department “ducked” the greenhouse emissions issue to avoid the politically sensitive debate about climate change.

The pipeline would transport the oil from Canada and Western states to Gulf Coast refiners.

Supporters argue the project would help the United State lessen its dependency on foreign oil, create thousands of construction jobs and that it has already passed the environmental test.

[freekitty]

Why does Obama have the say in this?

[jazusamo]

It's my understanding that because the pipeline crosses an international border it has to approved by the State Dept and it's in the Exec branch so he gets involved.

[BfloGuy]

after the union losses in Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan he'll hopefully side with the unions on this instead of the enviros.

He seems to have more of an affinity for government labor unions [SEIU.] I mean, he threw the coal miners' unions under the bus before he was elected. I think his hatred of business and fossil fuel trumps even his support for union labor.

[clintonh8r]

Keystone XL: K.I.A. 11/06/12. RIP

[fattigermaster]

Let’s give them an ultimatum...open the pipeline or each and every one of us prepares and consumes a gallon of firehouse chili.

The resultant rise of greenhouse gases...methane predominantly...will (supposedly) cause the oceans to flood, set adrift their precious polar bears, and flood the socialist strongholds in California, and the East Coast.

A brief earth-burp of carbon dioxide or a nation-wide fart of doom? The choice, gentlemen, is yours.

[ptsal]

The oil can move but only in one of Buffet’s tanker cars.... /sarc

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Obama is determined that this oil goes to Red China. So be it.”

Heck, he could have done that with Iraqi oil.

[bunkerhill7]

My Global Warming Study for the Lake Champlain Basin. NY

“Lake Champlain smelt fishermen
who are wailing over lack of ice for
their shanties and indulging in other
piscatorial gnashing of teeth, can take
new heart.

There’s still plenty of time for
King Winter to get in his frigid licks,
and there have been only six years in
recorded history — covering a period
of 120 years on Lake Champlain,
that the lake remained open [NOT FROZEN]. That
was in 1828, 1842, 1850, 1919, 1932
and 1933”

[thackney]

China’s Oil Quest Comes to Iraq
http://thediplomat.com/2012/12/02/china-introducing-the-middle-easts-future-hegemon/

[The Great RJ]

I remember the environmentalist whackos in the 1970s predicting the Trans Alaska Pipeline would surely turn Alaska into an oil soaked moonscape and decimate the caribou and other wildlife. They assured us that a pipeline could not be built over permafrost, over mountain ranges and earthquake faults and would have failure after failure. 40 years later the pipeline is working as designed and none of the dire predictions of environmental catastrophe have occurred. The XL pipeline is being built over prairie farmland that is geologically stable and is already crisscrossed by pipelines that have operated for decades without problems. The environmental concerns being raised are over blown and with pipelines already in the ground for 50 years operating without problems make those arguments almost ludicrous.

[The Great RJ]

I remember the environmentalist whackos in the 1970s predicting the Trans Alaska Pipeline would surely turn Alaska into an oil soaked moonscape and decimate the caribou and other wildlife. They assured us that a pipeline could not be built over permafrost, over mountain ranges and earthquake faults and would have failure after failure. 40 years later the pipeline is working as designed and none of the dire predictions of environmental catastrophe have occurred. The XL pipeline is being built over prairie farmland that is geologically stable and is already crisscrossed by pipelines that have operated for decades without problems. The environmental concerns being raised are over blown and with pipelines already in the ground for 50 years operating without problems make those arguments almost ludicrous.

[jazusamo]

You're dead on the mark.

I remember the predictions of doom and gloom from the enviros on the Trans Alaska Pipeline also and all their points have been proven wrong.

Now we have newer and better technology and a proven track record in the lower 48 and they come back with the same doom and gloom, it's time to get the job done.

[okie01]

The environmental concerns being raised are over blown and with pipelines already in the ground for 50 years operating without problems make those arguments almost ludicrous.

You understand that logic, clear ratonales and demonstrated experience have no place in an environmental discussion.

The left doesn't understand those kinds of arguments.

I'm serious.

[abclily]

Man does not control earth’s climate. The sun controls earth’s climate. What is so hard to understand about that?

[houeto]

Supporters argue the project would help the United State lessen its dependency on foreign oil, create thousands of construction jobs and that it has already passed the environmental test.

Tee-totally eleminate the Dept. of Energy. It has failed its mission in every conceivable way.

[houeto]

A brief earth-burp of carbon dioxide or a nation-wide fart of doom? The choice, gentlemen, is yours.

I cannot see how you could possibly have posted a more stupid, retarded comment than the one you just posted.

[Don W]

Modern day Luddites