Obama Administration Rejects Keystone XL
Here:
Obama laid the responsibility for the rejection of the pipeline on political gamesmanship by Republicans.
“As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by Congressional Republicans prevented a full assessment of the pipeline’s impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment.” Obama said. “As a result, the Secretary of State has recommended that the application be denied. And after reviewing the State Department’s report, I agree.”
TransCanada Corp. shares slid more than 3 percent after reports early Wednesday that rejection was imminent.Rejection of the pipeline had been expected in Washington after Obama tried to delay the decision until 2013 but Congress forced his hand as part of a popular tax cut measure.
“This announcement is not a judgment on the merits of the pipeline, but the arbitrary nature of a deadline that prevented the State Department from gathering the information necessary to approve the project and protect the American people, Obama said. “I’m disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced this decision, but it does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.”
The GOP will try to tie an extension of the payroll tax-cut to an approval of Keystone XL. Given that the payroll tax cut actually does create jobs while Keystone XL is marginal, that makes little sense as public policy, but it’s probably smart politics for Republicans. If Obama rejects the deal and the payroll tax goes up, then it help deflate the economy, which helps Republicans, and if Obama accepts, it will demoralize the Democratic base. Since Pravda Fox News is still pushing discredited jobs numbers for the pipeline, the GOP might just get away with it.
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About Jonathan
Jonathan Zasloff teaches Torts, Land Use, Environmental Law, Comparative Urban Planning Law, Legal History, and Public Policy Clinic – Land Use, the Environment and Loc…
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The good news is that there are literally millions of healthy people in America who will not have to suffer the tragic consequences of pre-mature death from pollution, because President Obama had the compassion, wisdom and mercy to put a stop to this dangerous and toxic project. Let the survivors speak for themselves and tell their story to everyone in America, and discredit the naysayers, and let our President finish the job.
The good news is that there are literally millions of healthy people in America who will not have to suffer the tragic consequences of pre-mature death from pollution, because President Obama had the compassion, wisdom and mercy to put a stop to this dangerous and toxic project. Let the survivors speak for themselves and tell their story to everyone in America, and discredit the naysayers, and let our President finish the job.