I’d like to take my usual coldly-analytical-with-a-side-of-Simon-Cowell, but the truth is, I think it’s a horribly decision, stupidly done, and at the end of the day will increase actual pollution and energy costs at the same time. I cannot come up with any reason whatsoever why this would be a good idea, which is rather unusual. I can almost always come up with some scenario in which this is a good plan, but not today.
Yes, Obama finallymade his decision on Keystone XL. The pipeline is down. “Oh,” but he says, “I was worried about the aquifer.” No, that’s stupid. Even if there was an oil spill, it’s not going to contaminate an underground aquifer notable for not refilling easily from the surface. “Oh, he says, you can re-apply under a slightly different route.” No, that’s stupid. They’re just going to sell it to the Chinese, who will eagerly buy to use in their extra-smoggy cars. Net result? Fungible oil travels ariound the world (at a higher price) to be used less efficiently.
The official White House story is that he had to deny the demand of Congress he actually make a choice on account of time. This, of course, conveniently ignores the fact that he had plenty fo time and did nothing, and is now making excuses. Yes, I’m sure he doesn’t want to choose, because he’s thinking about the fact that the union base loves Keystone and the Green base hates it. However, the Greens are wrong, because as usual they enjoy thinking about some far-off future which exists largely in their heads, but cannot consider events ten minutes from now. Canada has already put plans in place - they know to whom they can sell. If we won’t buy, it doesn’t mean the oil won’t be used.
But hey, as Andrew Malcolm put it, “After all, who needs a secure energy source from a best friend when you can pay a fortune to buy it from unfriendly people in faraway unstable places?”
Blah. This just sickens me, and I just don’t want to say any more. Newlinks here:
Wall Street Journal: The Passive-Aggressive Presidency - WSJ
Investors Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/Article/598108/201201181904/keystone-pipeline-oil-obama-canada.htm
The Atlantic: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2012/01/report-state-department-plans-block-keystone-pipeline/47557/
Report of Obama’s own Council via The Hill: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/204621-obamas-jobs-council-calls-for-expanded-drilling