"The State Department gave a crucial green light on Friday to a proposed 1,711-mile pipeline that would carry heavy oil from oil sands in Canada across the Great Plains to terminals in Oklahoma and the Gulf Coast."
"The project, which would be the longest oil pipeline outside of Russia and China, has become a potent symbol in a growing fight that pits energy security against environmental risk, a struggle highlighted by last year’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
By concluding that the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline would have minimal effect on the environment, President Obama would risk alienating environmental activists, who gave him important support in the 2008 election and were already upset by his recent decisions to expand domestic oil drilling and delay clean air rules. Pipeline opponents have protested in front of the White House for a week, resulting in nearly 400 arrests."
John M. Broder and Clifford Krauss report for the New York Times August 26, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Several Democrats Attack State. Dept. Pipeline Finding" (E2 Wire)
"Obama Administration Backs Oil Pipeline From Alberta to Texas" (Guardian)
"State Dept. Signs Off on Controversial Oil Sands Pipeline" (McClatchy)
"U.S. Edges Closer To Decision On Canada Pipeline" (Reuters)
"Canada-U.S. Oil Pipeline Poses Few Environmental Risks -- State Dept." (Greenwire)
"Hansen Says Obama Will Be 'Greenwashing' About Climate Change if He Approves Keystone XL Pipeline" (ClimateWire)
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