Post by dzoldnuts on Aug 29, 2011 12:44:26 GMT -5
content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/08/tar-sands-pipeline-environmental-review-positive/1
A controversial U.S.-Canadian pipeline extension, which has sparked protests outside the White House this week, received a positive final environmental review Friday from the Obama administration.
David Daniel of Texas, center, speaks to fellow activists from California, Texas and Nebraska, who have converged in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 24, 2011, to present their case against a proposed tar sands oil pipeline. Several activists were on their way to an ongoing White House protest against the pipeline, or had just come from it after being arrested.
CAPTION
By Nati Harnik, AP
The State Department said the proposed, 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline, running from Alberta to the Gulf Coast, will have minimal environmental impacts. It also said the tar sands oil will be developed whether the private $7 billion project is approved or not. Those findings could make it easier for the department to issue the needed permit.
Yet Assistant Secretary of State Kerri-Ann Jones, in a conference call with reporters, repeatedly emphasized that the review is not indicative of the final decision, expected by year's end.
FOLLOW: Green House on Twitter
"This is not the rubber stamp for this project," Jones said, noting eight other federal agencies still need to weigh in on its merits. ""It should not be seen as a 'lean in any direction.'"
Environmentalists are waging an increasingly vociferous battle against the pipeline, which will cross six U.S. states. They argue it will create safety risks, exacerbate air pollution and is unnecessary. They also portray it as a litmus test for President Obama.
"Whether to approve this pipeline is the most important environmental decision President Obama will make before the election," Erich Pica, president of the Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. "If he sides with greedy oil companies instead of people and the climate, he will essentially be urging a huge part of his base to sit out the election."
Dozens of pipeline protesters have been arrested in front of the White House since the two-week sit-in began Saturday. Activists plan to keep up their protest for another week and expect involvement from celebrities including actor Mark Ruffalo.
Environmentalists said the State Department's final review failed to adequately consider the pipeline's risks.
"It is utterly beyond me how the administration can claim the pipeline will have 'no significant impacts' if they haven't bothered to do in-depth studies around the issues of contention," said Susan Casey-Lefkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Proponents, including the pipeline's operator, disagreed.
"The Final Environmental Impact Statement reaffirms the findings of the two previous environmental impact statements that the Keystone XL pipeline will have no significant impact on the environment," said Russ Girling, president and CEO of Calgary-based TransCanada. He said the pipeline would create jobs and energy security.
"Through the Keystone system, the U.S. can secure access to a stable and reliable supply of oil from Canada where we protect human rights and the environment, or it can import more higher-priced oil from nations who do not
share America's interests or values."
A controversial U.S.-Canadian pipeline extension, which has sparked protests outside the White House this week, received a positive final environmental review Friday from the Obama administration.
David Daniel of Texas, center, speaks to fellow activists from California, Texas and Nebraska, who have converged in Lincoln, Neb., on Aug. 24, 2011, to present their case against a proposed tar sands oil pipeline. Several activists were on their way to an ongoing White House protest against the pipeline, or had just come from it after being arrested.
CAPTION
By Nati Harnik, AP
The State Department said the proposed, 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline, running from Alberta to the Gulf Coast, will have minimal environmental impacts. It also said the tar sands oil will be developed whether the private $7 billion project is approved or not. Those findings could make it easier for the department to issue the needed permit.
Yet Assistant Secretary of State Kerri-Ann Jones, in a conference call with reporters, repeatedly emphasized that the review is not indicative of the final decision, expected by year's end.
FOLLOW: Green House on Twitter
"This is not the rubber stamp for this project," Jones said, noting eight other federal agencies still need to weigh in on its merits. ""It should not be seen as a 'lean in any direction.'"
Environmentalists are waging an increasingly vociferous battle against the pipeline, which will cross six U.S. states. They argue it will create safety risks, exacerbate air pollution and is unnecessary. They also portray it as a litmus test for President Obama.
"Whether to approve this pipeline is the most important environmental decision President Obama will make before the election," Erich Pica, president of the Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. "If he sides with greedy oil companies instead of people and the climate, he will essentially be urging a huge part of his base to sit out the election."
Dozens of pipeline protesters have been arrested in front of the White House since the two-week sit-in began Saturday. Activists plan to keep up their protest for another week and expect involvement from celebrities including actor Mark Ruffalo.
Environmentalists said the State Department's final review failed to adequately consider the pipeline's risks.
"It is utterly beyond me how the administration can claim the pipeline will have 'no significant impacts' if they haven't bothered to do in-depth studies around the issues of contention," said Susan Casey-Lefkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Proponents, including the pipeline's operator, disagreed.
"The Final Environmental Impact Statement reaffirms the findings of the two previous environmental impact statements that the Keystone XL pipeline will have no significant impact on the environment," said Russ Girling, president and CEO of Calgary-based TransCanada. He said the pipeline would create jobs and energy security.
"Through the Keystone system, the U.S. can secure access to a stable and reliable supply of oil from Canada where we protect human rights and the environment, or it can import more higher-priced oil from nations who do not
share America's interests or values."
