WaPo Hammer Obama Admin On Keystone Stalling: Embarrassing, Not Responsible, Politics Ahead Of Policy

Samuel Adams

  by Sam Adams MMIV: Over the course of the week, more editorial boards have joined the chorus of criticism for the Obama administration’s latest addition to the endless series of delays of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Even The Washington Post editors are fed up with the administration’s stalling: “If foot-dragging were a competitive sport, President Obama and his administration would be world champions for their performance in delaying the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Last Friday afternoon, the time when officials make announcements they hope no one will notice, the State Department declared that it is putting off a decision on Keystone XL indefinitely — or at least, it seems, well past November’s midterm elections. This time, the excuse is litigation in Nebraska over the proposed route, because that might lead to a change in the project that various federal agencies will want to consider. The State Department might even decide to substantially restart the environmental review process . This is yet another laughable reason to delay a project that the federal government has been scrutinizing for more than five years.”

They point out, “At this point, there is little doubt about the big picture. After two thorough environmental analyses, State Department experts determined that the pipeline’s impact probably would be minimal, even on climate change-inducing carbon dioxide emissions. . . . We would rather see Canadian crude traveling a well-built, well-regulated pipeline in the United States than on the rail cars, barges and ocean tankers that will move it until cheaper options inevitably come online. . . . [S]ymbolic gestures will have no impact on climate change.”

The Post editors are unsparing in their conclusion. “The administration’s latest decision is not responsible; it is embarrassing. The United States continues to insult its Canadian allies by holding up what should have been a routine permitting decision amid a funhouse-mirror environmental debate that got way out of hand. The president should end this national psychodrama now, bow to reason, approve the pipeline and go do something more productive for the climate.”

Closer to the pipeline, The Dallas Morning News editors also declare the decision “embarrassing” and rip the Obama administration for its stalling. “The White House has all the information it needs to approve the pipeline yet once more has put politics ahead of policy, just as it has done on tax reform and immigration. Keystone, under the microscope for about six years, is arguably the most studied oil pipeline project in American history. But each time a national election cycle approaches, the administration conjures a delay to avoid alienating key political allies on opposing sides of the issue. Environmentalists oppose the pipeline; Big Labor favors it. Members of his party don’t want to be pinned down with the midterm elections on the horizon. . . . Now neither side expects a decision until after the November midterm elections — and maybe not even then. After all, fast approaching is the 2016 election cycle. Obama sat on his hands in 2010 and 2011, then avoided a decision during his own re-election campaign in 2012. Even though he can’t seek another term, there is no reason to believe his political strategy will change.”

Explaining once again why the pipeline should have been a no brainer, the DMN editors write, “The economic and national security benefits of the Keystone pipeline outweigh any environmental risks. The $7 billion project could produce thousands of jobs, provide millions in new investment and enhance U.S. energy independence. TransCanada Corp., the company behind the pipeline, has rerouted the pipeline around Nebraska’s environmentally sensitive region to answer environmental concerns. Also, a recent State Department study found that the pipeline would not produce a significant net increase in carbon emissions, a major cause of global climate change. Really, how much more research is needed?”

The Wall Street Journal editors point out the various denunciations of the newest delay but they marvel, “for cold political fury they have nothing on Terry O'Sullivan, who runs the Laborers' International Union that represents a half-million construction workers. ‘This is once again politics at its worst,’ Mr. O'Sullivan said in a public statementThe Journal editors note, “The pipeline is expected to create some 2,000 new jobs from construction and thousands more related to the project. Many of those jobs would go to Mr. O'Sullivan's union members, who do not live on San Francisco's Pacific Heights like billionaire donor Tom Steyer who opposes Keystone.”

As Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, “It is crystal clear that the Obama administration is simply not serious about American energy and American jobs.”
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Sam Adams MMIV is the pen name for un-named beltway sources. While receiving information from many sources, this Sam's words sometimes need to be credited. Thanks to all the Adams patriots who speak up for America.

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