Posted on 12/12/2011 3:10:57 PM PST by jazusamo
The State Department is warning Republicans that forcing a decision on the proposed Keystone XL oil sands pipeline within two months won’t bring the project approval they're seeking.
House Republicans are including a provision in payroll tax cut legislation that would require State to issue a permit for the proposed Alberta-to-Texas pipeline within 60 days, unless the president determines that it’s not in the national interest. Senate GOP leaders are also pushing the Keystone provision.
But a State spokesman said Monday that the 60-day time frame would leave the administration unable to issue the permit for TransCanada Corp.’s proposed $7 billion pipeline.
“Should Congress impose an arbitrary deadline for the permit decision, its actions would not only compromise the process, it would prohibit the Department from acting consistently with National Environmental Policy Act requirements by not allowing sufficient time for the development of this information,” the spokesman said.
“In the absence of properly completing the process, the Department would be unable to make a determination to issue a permit for this project,” State added.
The Obama administration recently extended the pipeline review into 2013 as it analyzes route changes that would bring it away from the ecologically sensitive Sand Hills region of Nebraska.
President Obama has said the final decision will come after weighing various environmental, economic and health issues.
“The State Department has led a rigorous, thorough, and transparent process that must run its course to obtain the necessary information to make an informed decision on behalf of the national interest,” the department said.
But Republicans say the White House delayed the pipeline for political reasons, and are pushing for quick approval of the project.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) defended Republicans' decision to include the Keystone XL measure in the payroll tax package Monday, criticizing the the State Department for calling the 60-day time period for issuing a final verdict on the pipeline "arbitrary."
"The only thing arbitrary about this decision is the decision by the president to say, 'Well, let’s wait until after the next election,' " Boehner told reporters in the Capitol Monday evening.
A suite of industry groups and unions — including the powerful U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute — are pushing for approval of the pipeline, claiming it will boost energy security and create scores of “shovel ready” jobs.
But environmentalists bitterly oppose the project due to greenhouse gas emissions and forest damage from Alberta’s massive oil sands projects, concerns over spills along the route and other issues.
LOL. The State Department can’t .....
There is that warning doodoo again, do it Mr. Speaker if the State Department is running scared!
How long again until we get these a-holes outta here? Sheesh.
China is getting a reliable source and Obama has a club to hit Republicans along with the undying love of the watermelons.
Propaganda for Idiots
Boy this bunch really has a power hungry attitude.
I hope whoever wins the Presidency rips the environmental wackos out by the roots.
Time to abolish the State Department and start over. It’s filled with left-wing effete idiots. What the devil does the state department have to do with issuing pipeline permits, anyway?
A new law supersedes an older law.
So the article suppresses that basic information.
This is the incredible kind of leniency the media gives Democrat Party members.
They left out political considerations. Will the usurper gain more votes by allowing those jobs to be created or by coddling his far left environmentalist constituents? I don't believe any other consideration actually matters to Obama.
Yep, Obama gave the word to State to not issue the permit until after the election. The enviro whackjobs are against the pipeline and his unions are for it, he wants all their votes.
Now they say 60 days isn't enough? Horsefeathers.
What on earth does the state dept have to do with our legislative process. This is pure propaganda.
State issues the permit because the pipeline crosses an international border, crazy but that’s the reason.
I agree but the pipeline will be taking a slightly different route so they say another Enviro Impact has to be done, it’s smoke and mirrors, IMO.
Excellent point. Obama and thugs must not be getting a payoff on this project.
‘“Should Congress impose an arbitrary deadline for the permit decision, its actions would not only compromise the process, it would prohibit the Department from acting consistently with National Environmental Policy Act requirements by not allowing sufficient time for the development of this information,” the spokesman said.
“In the absence of properly completing the process, the Department would be unable to make a determination to issue a permit for this project,” State added. ‘
Oh, the lying media...
From the bill H. R. 3630:
‘(4) For the purpose of the permit issued under subsection (a) (regardless of any modifications under subsection (d))—
(A) the final environmental impact statement issued by the Secretary of State on August 26, 2011, satisfies all requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f);
(B) any modification required by the Secretary of State to the Plan described in paragraph (5)(A) shall not require supplementation of the final environmental impact statement described in that paragraph; and
(C) no further Federal environmental review shall be required.’
‘EFFECT OF NO FINDING OR ACTION- If a determination is not made under paragraph (1) and no action is taken by the President under subsection (a) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline described in subsection (a) that meets the requirements of subsections (c) and (d) shall be in effect by operation of law.’
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