Almost
everybody has heard about the Keystone XL Pipeline debate. If not, the basic idea of the Keystone XL
Pipeline is a way to carry crude oil from Canada throughout the United
States. This has been a major debate and
the project has been put on hold to propose a new route, so it does not pass
through the Sand hills and over the Ogallala Aquifer.
Although the project has been put
on hold, President Obama has recently rejected the whole project, according to
the New York Times. This decision has
put the President in a difficult position, especially with the upcoming
election. President Obama rejected this
project because he felt there was not adequate time to reach a decision. Even though he may have had good intentions,
Obama’s reelection has been placed on a new level.
The Keystone XL pipeline would have
added many working opportunities and would have helped with the unemployment problem
in the United States. According to NPR,
thousands of jobs would be created. Even
if they did only last throughout the construction phase, these current working
opportunities could help many Americans in their lives by providing these
workers with an income at least for some length of time. American citizens were looking forward to
this project, mainly because of the opportunities and also the fact that the
oil would be shipped from the same body of land.
The decision to reject the proposal
of the Keystone XL pipeline has changed the people’s views and opinions of
President Obama. Thousands, if not tens
of thousands, of job opportunities may be lost and we will still be forfeiting
more money on foreign oil because the pipeline is not going through the United
States.
Yes, the New York Times states that
this is not a “final” decision about the Keystone XL Pipeline, but it actually
is final as of now. In order for the
pipeline to be brought back into the picture, TransCanada will have to reapply
for a presidential permit. Although
TransCanada wants a quick process, there is no possibility for this to be done
quickly. It will need to be a fresh
application and evaluated just as carefully as it was the first time. There is no way this project will be able to
get started in the next few years and our economy will be suffering from
it.
Americans all over the United
States are upset about the rejection of this project and this will greatly
affect the upcoming election. There
will be many debates between the Republican nominee and the Democratic side
about this project. President Obama may
have lost much of his support because of this decision of the Keystone XL
pipeline.
The pipeline is a huge ordeal in America, and in Nebraska especially. The action to stop the project is a campaign risk, but a wise one I believe from Obama.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, Obama (who is a Democrat) will probably not get a lot of support from the very Republican state of Nebraska in this presidential race. However, for those who are Democrat in Nebraska can appreciate this action. It might have created jobs, yes. It also could have ruined one of Nebraska's greatest source of water.
To me, Obama was wise to stop the project all together. Our water source is more important than some jobs. The project can be brought up again, and be passed later when there is more time to be spent on rewriting it. If I were a Nebraskan Democrat, I would not withdraw my vote for Obama.
Mo Kristensen
I enjoyed your post very well and it was very interesting reading to me. In fact, I have no opportunity to be informed of American political situation because I just arrived in the United States three weeks ago and have been busy to adapt to the sudden change.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I came to know, through your post, about the Keystone XL Pipeline which is the current controversial issue. The Republican Party and energy industry’s strong opposition is expected about the President Obama’s decision to reject the whole project.
It seems that many people are upset about the decision but I take a middle ground. I think that the President Obama put the safety of ground, water and the air before anything else.
The Keystone XL Pipeline project would increase environmental pollution. Especially if the accident which crude oil is spilled take place, it is a very severe problem.