Republicans Use Blackmail to Gain Support for the Keystone XL Pipeline

Republicans appear oblivious to both environmental issues and the economic difficulties of Americans. On Friday December 16, Republicans in Congress decided to play a game of chicken with America by linking the passage of the Social Security payroll tax-cut extension and employment benefits to the Keystone XL pipeline. Republicans want the President to make a decision about the pipeline in just 60 days. However, the State Department has indicated that 60 days is not enough time to explore the issues involved and make a responsible decision.

The tar sands are even more destructive to the planet than conventional oil leading some climate scientists to conclude that the the full scale exploitation of the tar sands would be "game over" for efforts to combat climate change. Further an oil spill could have devastating consequences to the huge Ogallala Aquifer which many Americans depend on for their drinking water.

The Keystone XL pipeline does not free the US from fossil fuels, it increases America's reliance on oil and decreases the impetus to find cleaner alternatives and enhance efficiency initiatives.

New fossil fuel developments should be opposed because they are the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions. This is particularly true for tar sands oil as they are even more energy intensive then conventional oil.

Some have argued that if America does not use tar sands oil it will be used by others (ie exported to Asia), but this is a flawed argument. Just because dirty tar sands oil may be bought by others does not mean it is the right way to go for the US.

If the issue is jobs there are more jobs to be had from supporting alternatives to fossil fuels. If the issue is weaning America off oil, it makes more sense to let the free market encourage the growth of alternatives.

Supporting the Keystone XL tar sands project makes no sense. Rather than threaten to deprive Americans of much needed financial support, Congress should be working on strategies to push for alternatives that will provide jobs without imperiling the environment.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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