Stunning Triumph: Obama Sends Keystone XL Back to State for Re-Review

[wtmusic]

"Big news: We won. You won.

That’s Bill McKibben’s headline at Tar Sands Action (full statement below).

In a stunning reversal of a “done deal,” the Obama administration has sent the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline back to review at the State Department:

… the Department has determined it is necessary to examine in-depth alternative routes that would avoid the Sand Hills in Nebraska in order to move forward with a National Interest Determination for the Presidential Permit.

There will be a “supplemental” environmental impact statement — presumably one that isn’t rigged (see “Bombshell: State Department Outsourced Tar Sands Pipeline Environmental Impact Study to ‘Major’ TransCanada Contractor.” It “could be completed as early as the first quarter of 2013.”"

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2011/11/10/366693/obama-keystone-xl-back-to-state-mckibben/

[MannyGoldstein]

1. It's probably just being postponed until after the 2012 election

Obama's a little puzzled by all of these demands that he embrace Democratic values. He needs some time to see how things shake out.

[wtmusic]

2. Fine.

Once clear in his second term, he can axe the sucker outright.

[msongs]

5. or approve it without facing any voter consequences nt

[wtmusic]

9. True that. nt

[XemaSab]

12. The interesting thing is that in the states where this is actually happening

it might actually get him votes.

It's the states where it's not happening that he's going to lose votes in.

[wtmusic]

14. The truth-o-meter will be whether TransCanada keeps stockpiling pipes

Why would they continue if the project was really in doubt?

[customerserviceguy]

8. Which Democratic values?

The ones that espouse environmental priorities above all, or the ones that support union jobs for American workers?

This delay is just a case of the President trying to have it both ways.

[wtmusic]

3. Obama's statement:

"I support the State Department’s announcement today regarding the need to seek additional information about the Keystone XL Pipeline proposal. Because this permit decision could affect the health and safety of the American people as well as the environment, and because a number of concerns have been raised through a public process, we should take the time to ensure that all questions are properly addressed and all the potential impacts are properly understood. The final decision should be guided by an open, transparent process that is informed by the best available science and the voices of the American people. At the same time, my administration will build on the unprecedented progress we’ve made towards strengthening our nation’s energy security, from responsibly expanding domestic oil and gas production to nearly doubling the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks, to continued progress in the development of a clean energy economy."

[Kolesar]

4. Good first move

Stalling

[mike_c]

6. it's not dead 'till it's dead...

...and this is only a delay.

[pinto]

7. Good move to send it back for review to the State Department.

It's an environmental win...for now. :thumbsup:

[pscot]

10. Dag!! Y'all are so suspicious

Almost seems like you don't trust the President.

[XemaSab]

11. Not trust the president on the environment?

Whatever could give you such an impression?

[diane in sf]

13. Watch for it to rise from the dead again after the 2012 election.