Despite high gas prices at the pump squeezing consumers along with President Obama’s promise he’ll make America “energy independent,” the administration has been stalling on a final decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline. Infrastructure that’s environmentally safe, will create thousands of jobs and accelerate America’s path toward energy independence is being delayed.
Why? Follow the money.
Environmental groups donated heavily to both the DNC and Obama’s presidential campaigns. It’s no secret, big corporations, special interest groups and tycoons flood the Democratic Party with millions. Obviously, they don’t part with serious cash for nothing. What they’re doing is buying “influence.” Money is power.
So from a political standpoint, Obama doesn’t want to bite the hand that helped get him elected. Hence, he’s compromised.
The winner? Russia, the Middle East and other geo-political foes we import oil from that hate us.
The loser? The American people and the U.S. economy.
“After more than 2,000 days of review, 17,000 pages of detailed scientific analysis contained in five environmental analysis reports from the U.S. Department of State, it is time to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. Time and time again this analysis has come to the same conclusions: Keystone would have minimal impact on the environment, other alternatives such as rail and barge create higher GHGs and the Canadian oil sands will be developed regardless of whether or not Keystone XL is approved,” Russell Girling, CEO of TransCanada, told the Herald in a statement.
“Experts forecast the United States will continue to import between 3.5 to 7.5 million barrels of oil each day through 2035 to heat American homes and start 250 million cars every morning. Projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline offer Americans a choice of receiving that oil from a friendly nation in Canada and growing U.S. supplies, delivered in the most efficient, environmentally sound way, or continue to import higher-priced foreign oil from nations that do not share American values,” Girling said.
No surprise that vulnerable Democrats facing elections in November are pressuring Obama to approve it. As well as the unions.
Why? Badly needed jobs.
If the president truly wants America to be energy-independent, the time to approve the pipeline is now, before he rides his proverbial golf cart into the sunset.
Adriana Cohen is co-host of “Trending Now.” Follow her on Twitter @Adriana Cohen16
