"WASHINGTON — With the formal debate over on Friday, a decision on an oil pipeline that will cross America's heartland and open up a greater market for Canada's oil sands now rests with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."
"In the last of nine public hearings, people got three minutes each to tell two State Department officials their views about whether the pipeline from the oil sands to Texas refineries is in the nation's best interest.
They spoke of the nation's dependence on oil, the need for a secure source, the risks of pipeline spills, the benefits of pipeline construction jobs, the health risks at both ends of the pipeline and the effects of a relatively high-pollution form of oil on climate change.
For President Barack Obama, the debate also has political weight for the 2012 election. Environmentalists have accused him of going back on promises of cleaner energy and political transparency. They also say that emails and other examples of how Washington works show bias at the State Department in favor of the oil industry."
Renee Schoof reports for McClatchy Newspapers October 7, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Keystone XL Pipeline Becomes a Political Headache For White House" (Washington Post)
"The Final Decision on the Keystone XL Pipeline is Coming Soon" (Mother Jones)
"Boos, Cheers at Raucous State Dept. Hearing on Keystone XL Oil Pipline" (Greenwire)
"Keystone XL Pipeline: State Department Holds Final Public Hearing" (Huffington Post)
"The Climate Post: 'Crony Capitalism' Alleged Behind Tar Sands Pipeline Review" (Huffington Post)
"Feud Over Transcanada Tar Sands Pipeline Burns White Hot" (ENS)
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