State Dept eyes rerouting Keystone XL pipeline

[Pirate Smile]

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - The State Department is considering rerouting TransCanada Corp.'s proposed $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline to avoid ecologically sensitive areas of Nebraska, a U.S. official said on Tuesday.

The State Department has been weighing issues raised in public meetings and talks with officials in six states that would be affected "including whether to consider a rerouting of the Keystone XL pipeline away from an environmentally delicate area of Nebraska," the official said.

A decision to consider an alternative route would require an environmental impact study on the new segment of the pipeline, the official said. Such a move could delay a final decision on whether to go forward on the pipeline.

The State Department said last week that it still hoped to make a decision by the end of the year, but did not rule out delaying the decision if necessary.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/09/us-usa-keystone-rerouting-idUSTRE7A81G120111109

[wtmusic]

1. Or to avoid politically-sensitive areas

Good luck with that one.

[xchrom]

2. don't build it at all -- that would be a good route. nt

[haikugal]

3. What Bullshit...He doesn't listen to the people..he listens to his owners.

[Autumn]

4. Lies. The decision has been made and the pipe

is already coming in from Canada. K/R

[KeepItReal]

5. Why don't they just build a doggone refinery in Canada instead of piping it to TX?

Seriously

[wtmusic]

7. Because it's cheaper to pipe it. nt

[jwirr]

8. Excellent question.

[KoKo]

10. Could it be because it will create more jobs in Texas and the Gulf?

I had wondered the same thing. Why not let Canada build refineries and we buy it from Canada. They are supposed to be our allies. So...something else must be going on here. Jobs for Texas and the states along the pipeline.

[freedom fighter jh]

20. They have to get the stuff out of Canada either before it's refined or after.

My understanding is that the oil company is also trying to build a pipeline west from the tarsands area to the Pacific Ocean. The trouble (for them) with that is that that pipeline would have to pass through provinces whose populations are mostly First Nations, who don't want it, and in Canada the residents do get some say.

[KeepItReal]

23. If you are going west coast or gulf... That refined oil is for export

All it takes is tanker trucks or trains to get it anywhere for US consumption.

[No Elephants]

6. State? When did the Department of State become an ecological expert?

What the heck is the Department of State doing in the middle of something involving the ecology of Nebraska? Did Nebraska secede and become a foreign nation?

Last time I'll miss a newscast!

(Yes, I did read where State has the power to make the decision about the ecology of Nebraska because the pipeline crosses a national border, but it still makes no damned sense.)

[XemaSab]

12. They're probably the lead agency

which doesn't mean that they don't have to consult with USFWS, ACOE, and other agencies.

[freedom fighter jh]

19. The dept of state is involved because it's an international issue.

The pipeline, if it's built, will cross the border.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act, the State Dept had to write an environmental impact statement. They issued that on 8/26, finding that the pipeline would not cause a major problem.

Next, Executive Order 13337 (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10378.pdf) requires the State Dept to determine whether the pipeline is in the national interest.

[progressoid]

9. Of course they will approve it. Its going to happen no matter what we do.

They've already started bringing in the pipe:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/08/pol-keystone-pipeline-sections.html

[KoKo]

11. Well....there you go! Ugh. n/t

[NCarolinawoman]

13. So many pipes, so many places for leaks.

:grr:

[harun]

22. Problem I have with this is who cleans it up after it is done with use?

What happens if in 10 years the company claims bankruptcy and can't safely dig up all the pipe? Do they have to have a secure fund for clean-ups?

Doesn't seem the end game is ever considered in these projects. Seems only the politics is.

[Fuddnik]

14. The route is only a small part of the problem.

It's the filthy shit flowing through the pipe that is the main problem.

[freedom fighter jh]

21. Yes.

Processing it and then burning it will mean too much carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere.

[humanityisfree]

15. lame

just lame

[blackspade]

16. Unfortunately this misses the point.

Don't build it at all.

[Amonester]

17. Don't build it at all.

But, but, but... the campaign-funding kickback$$$$$$$$$$$$ from the "privileged one$$$$$$$" will come from? :sarcasm:

[City Lights]

18. Re-route it right through the US Department of State.

Since they want it so badly, make sure they get to see it close up!

[truthisfreedom]

24. I got nothin' against oil. Just don't burn it. Use electricity to move vehicles.

National security. We've never had a war over electricity. Ever. No terror attacks either. Best thing we could possibly do is eliminate ICE cars and move to all-electric battery cars. They're a blast to drive, too!