Obama to explore new route for controversial Keystone pipeline

Updated at 4 p.m. ET

The State Department today announced plans to explore a new route for the Keystone XL pipeline, putting off the decision on whether to approve the controversial project until after the 2012 election.

The decision marks a partial victory for environmentalists and other opponents of the TransCanada Corp. project, which would link the tar sands fields of northern Alberta to oil refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast. The 1,700-mile underground oil pipeline has been in the works for three years. Its supporters say it would create jobs and help the U.S. lessen its dependence on oil imported from the Middle East, while its opponents -- both Democratic and Republican -- point to its environmental risks.

The State Department has jurisdiction over the project since it crosses U.S. borders, and the agency was widely expected to recommend approving the pipeline by the end of the year. With that self-imposed timetable fast approaching, activists have ratcheted up the pressure on the Obama administration to reject the project. Thousands of protesters circled the White House earlier this month to protest the pipeline.

Part of the objections to the project are related specifically to its route -- Nebraska's Republican Gov. Dave Heineman told the administration he opposes the project because it would directly cross over a critical aquifer.

With Mr. Obama's decision to study a different route for the pipeline, he could quell the concerns of liberal activists at least through his bid for re-election. The State Department said today it expects the review to be completed as early as the first quarter of 2013. Mr. Obama suggested to a local news station earlier this month that he -- not the State Department -- would make the final call on the project.

The president put out a statement Thursday afternoon explaining his support for the State Department's decision to review another route.

Demonstrators listen to speakers in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC November 6, 2011.

/ KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images

"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," Mr. Obama said. "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."

Activist Bill McKibben, who spearheaded protests against the pipeline, released a statement commending today's news but offering a warning to the president that opponents of the project won't stop protesting until it is rejected.

"The American people spoke loudly and today the President responded, at least in part," he said. "The president should know that nothing that happened today changes our position--we're unequivocal in our opposition. If this pipeline proposal reemerges from the review process intact we will use every form of nonviolent civil disobedience to keep it from ever being built."

Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., one of the congressmen to call into question the potential conflicts of interest that could taint the State Department's decision on the project, also expressed concern about today's decision.

"The State Department today raised the correct concerns, but reached the wrong conclusion," Welch said in a statement. "The catastrophic environmental risks of this proposed pipeline dictate the project be rejected, not delayed. I look forward to a swift and thorough investigation by the inspector general into the State Department's review process."

[daffy64]

As a Canadian, I should be delighted by the fact that the USA is building a cash pipeline INTO Canada.

But I can't help thinking of how INCREDIBLY STUPID some Americans are to think that using gasoline is "patriotic" when the fuel in your tanks comes from Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia.

It's funny that your Republican party always chides "green" people who want to take America off of Canadian gasoline and use electric or hydrogen powered vehicles which would use virtually 100% US fuel. That would pretty much cripple Canada's economy and obviate the reasons for the USA to get involved in the middle Easts's problems and spending trillions in the process.

Oh well. I shouldn't complain. The Canadian dollar has recently rocketed past the American one and we survived the financial crash better than most of the world, due largely in part to our "socialist" banking system which is highly regulated.

Maybe we couldn't have a free health care system without your money though, so I should clam up.

[Anotheryahoo]

We need this pipeline, America will need decades to change over its energy consuming ways. America doesnt need to pollute its waters in the process though. This can be done smartly if we dont let the extremist who run both sides get their ways. We need the energy and we need clean water. lets be smart and get it done by working together.

[daffy64]

And Canada wants to sprint ahead of the US in it's economy. So keep those trillions coming. I don't think modern Americans are resourceful enough to figure out a way to power vehicles with domestic energy anyways.

Buy a Hummer, support a Canuck.

[ge556]

What we need even more is to stop global warming. Switching to tar sands oil, which produces CO2 when extracting the oil as well as when burning it, is very bad for the climate.

[Steve Thompson100]

Here is a summary of a peer-reviewed study that outlines the environmental issues that are created by oil sands mining:

http://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2010/09/athabasca-river-how-many-politicians_07.html

The halo of contamination around the mine site is at least 50 kilometres in diameter and is impacting Aboriginal settlements downstream from the operations.

[Socialization]

Obama cannot get out of office quick enough if we are to survive his disaster presidency.

[daffy64]

Right on! Please elect a Republican. Keep Canada strong and the US weak.

[hdc77494]

Political sidestepping. We know he doesn't want the pipeline, but he's too cowardly to say so. Enviros, one pipeline we both know is fairly safe. The chances of a spill large enough to poison an aquifer is laughable. It's your choice, one pipeline, or one supertanker crossing the ocean EVERY DAY. Second, would you rather send US dollars to Canada, or some tinpot dictator in the middle east? Lastly, at 18.4 cents per gallon, 42 gallons per barrel, and 700,000 barrels per day, just how much tax revenue did we just lose along with billions in construction jobs, lower fuel prices, and less secure supplies? China will contract to buy it all, and we'll be stuck trying to get more from the middle east. Thanks people!

[retm-w]

That oil would be going to china anyhow. Canada would be charging us world market price for it, so there would be no savings for the U.S. consumers anyhow.

[daffy64]

Second, would you rather send US dollars to Canada, or some tinpot dictator in the middle east?

-

Glad you feel that way. I just hope the electric cars flop. Canada needs the trillions in oil revenue to keep our economy strong and health care free.

[daffy64]

Obama is a jerk. He shouldn't hesitate to ship trillions to Canadians. Our free health care system is going to run out of money if you don't elect a Republican soon.

[retm-w]

Why not build your own refinery? Why send it to Texas refine it then ship it to the far east.

[fishguru00]

you really don't have a clue ret---

[THOM RENTON]

NOT A GOOD WAY TO TRANSFER THIS MATERIAL, PLUS THE FACT THAT IT IS THE MOST CARBON PRODUCING REFINERY PROCESS OF ANYTHING KNOWN TO MAN. MAKE THE REFINERY JUST ACROSS THE CANADAIAN BORDER FROM THE US AND LET THEM FIND A WAY TO GET IT TO US!

[ge556]

No, they need to leave it in the ground, because we can't afford the increased CO2.

[daffy64]

No way man, you take the oil, we'll take your cash.

[GrannyCares]

Well, guess THOUSANDS OF JOBS are really not that important after all!

Will not pay any attention to his screams to congress in the future! ("PASS MY JOBS BILL NOW!") has ZERO CREDIBILITY!

Guess his 'DELAY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE TAX' got him into the 'DELAY' mode!

WHAT A LOSER! We made a personal mistake in November 2008. We WILL NOT AGAIN!

It is LACK OF CARING; LACK OF LEADERSHIP; LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN HIM AS A PERSON THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE JOBS OVERSEAS! Do you really think Canada is going to sit around for another YEAR and wait for President Dithers to make a decision??

While Obama and Michelle are living large, a growing number of his countrymen are going hungry! We do not want a handout from Obama, we want a leader who has the backbone to get out of the way, and allow private sector jobs to be created. He has just proved that HE CAN'T!

[ge556]

Millions of jobs are not more important than the health of the planet.

[daffy64]

Do you really think Canada is going to sit around for another YEAR and wait for President Dithers to make a decision??

-'

Hopefully, Obama will come to a realization that shipping trillions to Canada is better than his silly plan to make more electric cars that use American power.

- A Canadian.

[djaymick]

How can he go around the country on his bus and demand jobs and then put this off until after the election? A Gallop Poll out in March (link below) shows you how the people are against this.

http://thenewamerican.com/tech-mainmenu-30/environment/6749-poll-americans-favor-energy-over-environment

[ge556]

It's a real shame how the right-wing disinformation campaign has succeeded in sowing doubt among the public. However, we have begun to turn the tide against the anti-science crowd. The evidence is in, the distractions have been discredited.
How nuts do people have to be to think that jobs are more important than having a healthy planet to live on?

[revolverdude]

Yep, lets think it over for another 2 years. You see, he isn't paying for his gas at the pump like the rest of us. All he wants is Freedom for the illegals so they will vote for him- nothing less.