imagesThe Keystone XL pipeline has made for strange bedfellows with unions, Democrats from oil producing states, and Republicans supporting approval.  Environmental groups and Democrats from non-oil producing states in opposition; the final approval will come from the president.

The Keystone Pipeline is an oil pipeline that originates in Canada and delivers oil through a pipeline system to refineries in the Gulf States. 

The Keystone Pipeline was first proposed in 2008 and a permit was first granted in 2010; the EPA stated the draft environmental impact study was inadequate.  The final impact report released Friday by the U.S. State Department stated that there would be no significant impact on the environment.

After Congress gave it the “go-ahead” in 2012, the President had a 60-day deadline to make a decision; he rejected the application based on the need for a full assessment of the pipelines environmental impact.

After yesterday’s release of the State Department report, highlighting no major environmental concerns with approving the pipeline deal.  Federal agencies have 90 days to comment on the final assessment, and the public will have 30-day public comment period which will run concurrently.  After this process commences the president will have the final decision in determining if the Keystone XL pipeline is in the interest of the country after analyses from the various agencies.

The Environmental Protection Agency is one agency that has been critical of past reviews by the State Department’s on this project.

“Today’s Environmental Impact Statement confirms what Alaskans already know — there are ways to safely and responsibly diversify our domestic energy supply,” said Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska. “Move this project forward.”

Senator Barbara Boxer, D-California, stated, I will not be satisfied with any analysis that does not accurately document what is really happening on the ground when it comes to the extraction, transport, refining, and waste disposal of dirty, filthy tar sands oil.  My biggest concerns continue to be the serious health impacts on communities and the dangerous carbon pollution that comes from tar sands oil.

The Keystone Xl pipeline approval places the president in a precarious situation as he has the final say whether Keystone moves forward or not.

Senator’s from oil producing states and unions are urging the president to approve this project, as it would create much needed jobs.  Environmental groups are concerned with its impact due to spillage along the pipeline route and higher greenhouse emissions.

Proponents of the Keystone project site the ability for the United States to secure its own energy independence and its dependence on imported oil.     

Last year Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal warned Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and other minister of the potential impact of the U.S. shale oil and gas will reduce demand from Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members.

Right now the decision is in the hands of the president and politics will play the deciding voice in the approval process.

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