Obama rejecting Keystone XL pipeline

The Washington Times ^ | November 6, 2016 | Dave Boyer & Ben Wolfgang

[jazusamo]

Ending a review process that lasted nearly seven years, President Obama on Friday rejected the Keystone XL oil pipeline, siding firmly with environmental activists and drawing the ire of business and labor groups who say the administration is willfully standing in the way of economic growth, job creation and energy security.

In a speech at the White House, Mr. Obama, flanked by Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joseph R. Biden, formally announced they'll block construction of Keystone.

"The State Department has decided the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interests of the United States. I agree with that decision," the president said, brushing off Keystone's potential impact on the economy and on North American energy security and saying the entire issue has been overblown and has occupied an "inflated role in our political discourse" over the past seven years.

Earlier this week, the company proposing the massive project, TransCanada, asked the State Department to halt its review while legal issues regarding the pipeline's proposed route through Nebraska are sorted out. The administration denied that request, fueling speculation that the president was on the verge of killing Keystone.

TransCanada's move widely was viewed as an attempt to stall a decision on Keystone until after Mr. Obama leaves office, potentially setting up a scenario in which a future president -- perhaps one more supportive of domestic oil-and-gas infrastructure projects -- would be the one to make the final call.

While Friday's announcement seems to eliminate that possibility, leading Republicans vowed to continue to fight for the project on Capitol Hill and said it’s a matter of time until Keystone is built.

[kaehurowing]

No problem, Canada can sell the rights to this energy to China.

[blueunicorn6]

Saudi Arabia says “Thanks!”.

[nikos1121]

I listened to this guy speak. He says gas prices have come down over $1.00 since like two years ago, and that you can now get gas for under $2.00. Why doesn’t someone in the press point out to him, that the price of gas was $1.80 when he took office.

Also, it won’t have any effect on the price of gas... fine, how about all the jobs?

I don’t this guy has done one thing right since taking office not one thing right.

[uncitizen]

obama wants to take credit for the price of gas going down 2 bucks in the last two years of his presidency, but not for it going from 1.80 to 5 bucks in the first 5 years of his presidency.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Not familiar enough with the situation; can someone educate me on why they can’t they resubmit the application when we have a real president?”

Go for an override. And put everyone on record.

[VanDeKoik]

Unemployment is at 5%!!!!!

Go get a job at Arby’s, saps.

[Joe Boucher]

black youth unemployment, twice that of white youth.
Nahhh, ya wouldn’t want to do anything that may create good jobs there obammy now would ya?

[X-spurt]

If hitlery gets it, Keystone and energy will be pretty far down on our list of worries.

[FredZarguna]

We get more oil moved on rail for higher expense!

And considerably more likelihood of environmental damage. [http://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-transport-oil-more-safely-1442197722] But it's pointless to argue facts and logic with progtards.

Still... Zero gets his high-visibility-anti-carbon moment going into Paris, and appearance is, after all, the only thing that matters.

[FredZarguna]

I’m sure Roger Waters has no problem with this decision.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Trump already said he’s going to reverse this.

[FredZarguna]

WOW! Didn't see that one comin'. :>}

I know, right?

[rktman]

Ouch. Dang hockey violence.

[mikey_hates_everything]

Hopefully next year, Sec. Bolton will track down the ones in Foggy Bottom responsible for the recommendation to Obama and can them.

[familyop]

The government folks and their retired NIMBY partners in crime are rejecting lower oil prices.

[bjorn14]

Anybody see any parallels with this and Billy Jeff and Indonesian coal?

[FredZarguna]

Ouch. Dang hockey violence.

At a minimum, they need to ban the high-capacity sticks.

[Repeal 16-17]

The Liberal Messiah HATES America and so His rejecting something that would improve our economy, including providing countless jobs, is simply par for the course.

BTW, unions should realize that the Democratic Party no longer loves them. That love is now given to the enviro-nazis.

[crusty old prospector]

I guess the old man’s money from Omaha is still good.

[rockinqsranch]

There ya go! Right on the mark.