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The People’s Voice Wins the Day on Keystone XL Tar Sands Pipeline
By Susan Casey-Lefkowitz, NRDC
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Read this blog post on the originating site
Today, the Obama Administration through the State Department announced a new environmental review of the proposed Keystone XL tar sands pipeline that is likely to last through early 2013. This is a tremendous victory in a campaign that has pitted people from all walks of life against dirty tar sands. By calling for a new environmental review of the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama is displaying leadership and a continued strong commitment to protections for land, air, water, climate and public health. He heard Nebraskans, Texans, Montanans and others ask for protection of their land and water. He heard masses of students, teachers, faith leaders and others ask for a strong stance against climate change. The President is doing what is in the interest of the American people and showing leadership on climate and energy at home and abroad.
Had the Keystone XL pipeline been approved by the end of the year, it would have carried tar sands, the dirtiest oil on the planet, through the heartland of America for likely export. It would also have signaled to Big Oil that expansion of the tar sands could proceed.
The President already made clear that he is listening to the concerns of Nebraskans as they hold a special legislative session called by Republican Governor Heineman to take ownership of the siting of pipelines across their lands. Three to one, Nebraskans oppose the current proposed route across the Ogallala Aquifer.
And over the last few months, we have witnessed historic numbers of people willing to risk arrest, willing to come to Washington to rally, and willing to reach out at campaign offices and events to send a clear message that the Keystone XL pipeline takes us backward on dirty energy at a time we need to be doing all we can to fight the very real threat to our country of climate change.
This announcement cuts short the State Department’s arbitrary deadline for a decision by the end of the year. By moving away from the flawed route, the Administration essentially acknowledges that there have been problems with the State Department review process to date, showing that they do indeed stand by their commitment to transparent and participatory government. It is critical that this new review avoid the conflicts of interest of the past.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration to make sure that the review is as thorough as possible. A fresh review provides the Administration the time to get this decision right and to gather information about the ways in which this tar sands pipeline would hurt our health, water, farms and climate. With this information in hand, the only possible decision will be to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.
The American people asked for Presidential leadership and they got it.
Tagged with: keystone xl, transcanada, pipeline, obama
