Posted on 01/17/2014 6:01:02 AM PST by thackney
Canada bluntly told the United States on Thursday to settle the fate of TransCanada Corp's proposed Keystone XL pipeline, saying the drawn-out process on whether to approve the northern leg of the project was taking too long.
The hard-line comments by Foreign Minister John Baird were the clearest sign yet that Canada's Conservative government has lost patience over what it sees as U.S. foot-dragging.
Baird also conceded that Washington might veto the project, the first admission of its kind by a Canadian government minister.
The 1,200-mile (1,930-km) pipeline would carry 830,000 barrels a day from the Alberta tar sands in western Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Ottawa strongly backs Keystone XL, which it says would create jobs and provide a secure supply of oil to Canada's closest ally and trading partner.
"The time for Keystone is now. I'll go further - the time for a decision on Keystone is now, even if it's not the right one. We can't continue in this state of limbo," Baird said in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Although the State Department is responsible for ruling whether the pipeline meets the national interest, President Barack Obama has made clear he will make the final decision.
Obama is under heavy pressure from environmental activists to veto the northern leg, and Washington seems in no hurry, despite the growing irritation in Ottawa. Canada is the largest single supplier of energy to the United States.
The State Department issued a largely favorable initial environmental impact assessment in March 2013, which was followed by a public comment period. On paper, at least, the department should have issued an updated impact assessment and then a final recommendation by the end of 2013.
(Excerpt) Read more at in.reuters.com ...
If it creates jobs and helps the US economy, then Obama will surely veto it........
The biggest threat to the U.S. economy and security is and has been for a long time the “Environmental Lobby” and the politicians that lobby buys.
It’s never going to be approved by this treasonous 0muslim admin. Not without a million EPA restrictions and assorted BS regs/laws attached, which will negate its profitability. Move on, Canada.
Canada, eh
Agreed. Canada needs to look out for it’s own interests here. Time for them to build it as an East-West pipeline to their own ports. Keep the whole thing under their own control.
Is there any US ally left that Obama hasn’t already pissed on?
Energy = Jobs, so simple a congressman should be able to figure it out.
Where is Boehner? Where is Cruz, Cantor, Ryan...get the cameras and microphones and make this known! Not a peep on any news network that this discussion is even going on.
Must be blackmail abounding everywhere.
Working on getting Amnesty passed.
Screw Obama. Start building.
They have enough to build a pipeline to the East, the West and the South and will still use rail as well.
Canada Ping!
Until the commies/lib-dem lowlifes/muzzies/marxist filth/racists/leftists etc are cleaned out of corrupt gov’t in DC and elsewhere, we’ll never have a coherent and workable energy policy, among other things.
Is there any US ally left that Obama hasnt already pissed on, and enemy he hasn't cozied-up to?
Better.
I don’t know why, but the title instantly made me think of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VgqWdFVYbY
“Paradise by the Dashboard light” -— Meatloaf.
I’m sure there are some that loved Obama that are not waiting for the end of time...
Im sure there are some that loved Obama that are not waiting for the end of time...
Oil states should shut off all pipelines to Washington D. C.
The money pipeline is the one that matters the most. Oil/Gas companies pay massive taxes, some disguised, some straight up.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.