Keystone pipeline clear hurdle with State Department

NY Times:

The Obama administration gave a crucial green light on Friday to a proposed 1,711-mile pipeline that would carry heavy oil from Canada across the Great Plains to terminals in Oklahoma and the Gulf Coast, saying the project would provide a secure source of energy without significant damage to the environment.

In reaching its conclusion that the Keystone XL pipeline from the oil sands deposits in Alberta would have minimal environmental impact, the administration dismissed criticism from environmental advocates, who said that extracting the oil would have a devastating impact on the climate and that a leak or rupture in the 36-inch-diameter pipeline could wreak ecological disaster. Opponents also said the project would prolong the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, threaten sensitive lands and wildlife and further delay development of clean energy sources.

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Opponents want to manipulate the price for oil so that less efficient energy can compete. When someone comes up with a more efficient energy source at a cheaper price it will be easy to get people to switch. Until then the opponents are pushing their own pipe dream. They are also outsourcing our energy and lowering our standard of living. They are hurting the US economy and killing jobs. It is good that they are being ignored in this case.

Robert Samuelson says we would be crazy not to accept the Keystone project.