What if there were a project that would immediately create 13,000 US jobs directly and thousands more indirectly? What if there was a feasible opportunity to reduce America's dependence on Middle Eastern oil? What if this project had bipartisan support? It seems like a no brainer that such a project should be executed, doesn't it?
It so happens that there is such a project. It is called the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport Alberta's tar-sands to refineries in Texas. It would produce approximately 700,000 barrels of oil a day. That is 700,000 barrels of oil a day the United States does not have to purchase from the Middle East. Let me ask again, the project seems like a no brainer, doesn't it?
Apparently the answer is no. This week President Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline. Why you may ask? Because extreme environmental groups rallied against the project, which is viewed as a political risk to President Obama as he faces reelection.
However, it seems to me that job creation and our national security should take precedence over strong support of environmental groups during the President's reelection campaign. But that's just me.
Annie Ellerman
Gilbert
Rodini posted at 1:46 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
Give it up Annie...go get your gun instead! We have far better and less destructive ways to secure our energy future....no doubt you also believe global warming and a depleted ozone are liberal lies and nothing more than weak attempts to sabatoge our economy, huh? LOL
Leon Ceniceros posted at 1:56 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
Obama has shown that he is not an American....he doesnt' care about America.
Obama is an.......ENVIRONMENTALIST....A GLOBAL VILLAGER...A UNION-ADVOCATE...A OPEN BORDER ACTIVIST........HE WAS NEVER AN AMERICAN CITIZEN SO HOW CAN HE BE A .........PRESIDENT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
Rational Human posted at 6:32 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
In rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project this past week, the Obama administration did exactly what they told everyone they were going to do.
The question many are asking is, “Why?”
Why did the President kill the pipeline deal that so many Democrats, Republicans and labor union leaders support?
Was it done because:
A. – As the administration has said publicly, there is not enough time to do a proper environmental impact study?
B. – Thanks to alternative energy companies like Solyndra, we’re on the path to becoming an oil-free energy generating country?
C. – Billionaire Warren Buffett (and Obama advisor) has an investment in a Canadian railway that would benefit from killing Keystone?
D. – Is it because Brazil, the country whose deep-water oil fields we agreed to fund, is going to be selling us cheap and plentiful oil?
In the case of the environmental impact study argument, it has been noted that the project could begin moving forward and jobs be created as another study commenced. If the findings show that the pipeline’s route needed to be changed, or additional safety measures put in place, those could easily be added to the project.
The Solyndra question answers itself.
Concerning the Warren Buffett investment, Bloomberg News reports:
Warren Buffett’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC is among U.S. and Canadian railroads that stand to benefit from the Obama administration’s decision to reject TransCanada Corp. (TRP)’s Keystone XL oil pipeline permit.
But what about Brazil? Was the real reason that President Obama rejected the Keystone XL deal because he was expecting Brazil to start selling us some of the cheap oil from their newly-discovered oil deep water oil fields. Estimates of the underwater fields could make Brazil an energy superpower and a very wealthy nation.
In May of 2011, President Obama visited Brazil and pledged massive financial support from America in the amount of $2 billion dollars. Obama also hinted that the money being lent to Brazil should also put America at the front of the line once the oil starts pumping.
The President‘s wishful thinking seems to have been undercut by China’s forceful negotiating.
Last week it was announced that Brazil and China had inked a deal for oil sales, big oil sales.
Additionally, in the wake of the Keystone XL rejection, Canada‘s Prime Minister has talked about building a pipeline to his country’s west coast where oil could easily be pumped into tankers waiting to take the oil to China:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in a telephone call yesterday, told Obama “Canada will continue to work to diversify its energy exports.”
If you wonder what the Prime Minster means when he says “diversify its energy exports“, he is apparently talking about China. The Bloomberg News report continues:
Canada this month began hearings on a proposed pipeline by Enbridge Inc. to move crude from Alberta’s oil sands to British Columbia’s coast, where it could be shipped to Asian markets.
As the Iranians inch closer to realizing their threat to block the transport of oil through the Strait of Hormuz and the EU has voted to ban oil imports from Iran, the importance of oil from South American oil is obvious.
Some might argue that the oil underneath American soil and American waters would bring great independence and security.
Cerulean posted at 8:59 pm on Wed, Jan 25, 2012.
Annie Ellerman, your letter is reductive and it seems that you have no scruples.
Is ‘job’ the new heaven send word? The keystone pipeline may make a few oil magnates (Koch Industries maybe?) feel like they are in heaven. Meanwhile, because this oil is so dirty it scours the inside of the pipe quickly creating opportunities for oil disasters wherever the pipe happens to break. My guess is that Annie does not live near the proposed avenue where the pipeline is to rest. If you did, you might think twice about the hellacious cost when millions of gallons of tar sand oil gush out on a local farm or open water supply.
sockratties posted at 6:51 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
Obama advised congress that if they didn’t send him a clean bill it would be vetoed. The house tried to attach a bill that would have curtailed the middle class income tax break.
Solyndra was 1 of 134 clean energy companies that were on a list created by DOE under Pres. Bush. They were 1 of 16 that had made the cut by the time Pres. Obama came into office. They were totally financed until they got the DOE loan guarantee, by private funds. The loan guarantee was made before there was a housing crisis that destroyed the market and a big drop in the resale price of panels caused by foreign competition. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Private investment was the biggest loser.
Petrobrazil had already made a deal with China to buy Brazilian oil before Obama visited the Brazilian President. She is an effective president, pro U.S. and we can help Brazil not become another Venezuela by doing business with her country. The U. S. Import-Export Bank is a privately funded bank that makes credit available to foreign companies who buy U. S. manufactured goods and machinery. Brazilian companies are making an investment that will (and already is) creating U.S. jobs. It’s kind of like issuing a store credit card. Brazilian companies can borrow money from Amercan banks to buy American goods. The banks and manufacturers make money and the IE Bank get paid for the service. The import-export bank is administered by the government and actually makes a modest profit on fees it charges. The fees are given to the U.S. Treasury but the money loaned is from private U.S. commercial institutions.
Once the environmental impact and all the logistics are laid out the administration and congress can evaluate the Keystone XL pipeline project. I see any project that Big Oil is trying to ramrod through approval as trying to get it approved before associated problems are discovered. If Obama were to approve it only to find later that there is a hidden agenda such as costs, highway routing, river crossings or unseen hazards, the naysayers would be out en-masse to bad-mouth him. Better he gets bad-mouthed for erring on the safe side. Remember 3 mile island, Love Canal, Gulf oil spill. All those projects created jobs. And deep water drilling is allowed in the Gulf, but U.S. regulations now are the same as other countries who already had safety rules in place.
Warren Buffet will benefit from either final decision on the pipeline project. If the pipeline is built, most of the equipment and materials will be transported by rail. If the pipeline is not built the crude will be transported by rail. People should have no problem with an American profiting from his investments so the problem must be with his lack of animosity for our president. That’s really sad. Successful businessmen should be advising the president. Who else; Joe the Plummer (ala Bush).
The U.S. only has about 10% of the world oil supply. Even if it were all tapped today it couldn’t meet our needs. We have huge reserves of coal and natural gas. If we want to expand our use of those fossil fuels and can do so without destroying the environment, that may be the realistic way to meet future domestic energy needs.
It was reported a couple of weeks ago that the U.S. is actually exporting gasoline. If this is true, why are we subsidizing ethanol production and oil exploration? Let big oil, like BP, Exxon and TransCanada foot the bill for making coal environmentally friendly and creating an infrastructure for distribution of natural gas.
wdgnas posted at 7:50 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
annie, annie, annie. what makes you think the oil from the tar sands would remain in the u.s.? keep repeating the lie.
from the trans alaska pipeline authorization act.
TITLE 43 > CHAPTER 34 > § 1651
The Congress finds and declares that:
(a) The early development and delivery of oil and gas from Alaska’s North Slope to domestic markets is in the national interest because of growing domestic shortages and increasing dependence upon insecure foreign sources.
the oil from the alaska pipeline was for DOMESTIC markets. how much of it ended up in foreign markets?
Rational Human posted at 8:40 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
"Any president whose actions so consistently refute his own words must have deep contempt for the intelligence of the American public."
The Obama administration told U.S. owned Hawker Beechcraft earlier this week they are being excluded from bidding on the US Air Force contract for a light attack aircraft. That leaves Brazilian owned Embraer as the likely recipient of the lucrative deal.
I found this one hard to believe so I did a little research. It was tough because this was completely ignored by the main stream media. The information is out there on several conservative sites. Please see the two articles linked below.
This is a double slap in the face of the United States.
At a time when jobs, the economy, and security are the most critical priorities for our country,the Obama administration decides to send a defense contract to a foreign owned company.
This has to be the stupidest thing this administration has done to date.
This is not just a dumb decision, it is a perfect example of why this president is such a poor leader. He talks about wanting jobs. He says we need to force companies to repatriate billions of dollars that Americans keep overseas. He wants to raise taxes so he can spend billions on stimulus that does nothing to stimulate anything. And when it’s time to act, he sends our tax dollars overseas at the expense of American jobs and income for an American company.
This is nothing more than a Chicago-style political pay back; but this time it is at the expense of our national security. How much more damage will Obama be allowed to do in the next 14 months?
One of the lead stories in the media this week blasted Congress for insider trading. If this contract goes to Embraer it will be a huge payoff to another George Soros company.
When will the 4th estate do it’s constitutionally protected job and expose the real obama to the American people?
Article from REDSTATE Posted by Ben Howe Monday, November 21st at 6:00AM EST: Obama Administration Sends Weapons Contract to Foreign Company with Ties to Iran
Article from WORLDPRESS By Gary P Jackson| NOVEMBER 22, 2011 · 4:17 PMHawker-Beechcraft Denied Big Air Force Contract in Favor of Brazilian Company With Soros Connections
Article from A Time For Choosing · Just another WordPress.com
http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/23/2112778/hawker-requests-gao-review-of.html
We can no longer depend on the media to pass on any news that might be construed as negative towards the democrats.
sockratties posted at 10:25 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
The LAAR competition included several suiters:
T-6 by Hawker Beechcraft (Canadian – American)
M-346 by Alenia Aermacchi (Italian)
AT-802U by Air Tractor (American)
A-29 by Embraer (Brazilian – American)
OV-10X by Boeing (American)
A-67 by US Aircraft (American)
The selected LAAR aircraft must meet several key requirements, including:
Capable of operating from semi-prepared runways such as grass or dirt surfaces.
Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)
Radar warning receiver (RWR)
Chaff and Flare dispensers.
Armored cockpit and engine.
Able to fly 5 hour sorties (with 30 minute fuel reserves).
900 nautical mile range.
Line-of-sight data link (with beyond line-of-sight desired)
Capable of transmitting and receiving still and video images.
Able to laser track and designate targets using electro-optical and infrared video/still images.
Capable of carrying 500 lb bombs, 2.75 inch rockets, rail-launched missiles, and flares.
Capable of aerial gunnery with an integrated or pylon mounted gun.
Additional desired traits:
Infrared signature suppression for the engine(s).
30,000 ft operational ceiling.
6,000 ft takeoff and landing distance.
Capable of aerobatic maneuvers used for combat and evasion.
The Brazilian A-29 was the only aircraft that was able to meet or be modified to meet these requirements.
Hawker Beechcraft Inc. is a new company formed by the Canadian investment firm Onex Partners and GS Capital Partners, an affiliate of global finance house Goldman Sachs. Beechcraft was aquired by Raytheon Corporation before being sold while keeping the Beechcraft brand name to indicate its lineage. The Air Force said Hawker Beechcraft missed a three-day deadline to file a request for a debriefing and a 10-day deadline to file a protest. The T-6 has been in service for several years in various configurations, primarily as a flight trainer.
Embraer, a Brazilian company, has formed a partnership with Nevada-based Sierra Nevada Corp. and has said it would build the turboprop in Jacksonville, Fla., should it win the contract. The A-29 is used by several air forces around the world as a light attack and ground support aircraft.
truth posted at 11:46 am on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
According to the Wall Street Journal the U.S. exported over 900 million barrels of gas and other fuels in 2011 and the local newspaper has stated the U.S. is becoming a leading exporter of gas. Has anyone above looked up the Keystone XL pipe line or are you making up your own facts. Take the time to look up the oil spill in Montana in the Red River or are you going to just give lip service. Last of all why is the Keystone pipe line ending at a port?
truth posted at 12:31 pm on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
Rational Human, did you read all the article on Embraer? The plains will be built in Flordia with U.S. tech company Serrra Nevada using 70 U.S. base companies and creating 1,200 American jobs. This deal is to Strengthan U.S. Brizilian relations. see www. Smartplanet, com/.../brazils-embrace... u.s....contact/1305 for all the story.
Dale Whiting posted at 5:39 pm on Thu, Jan 26, 2012.
Yes, folks,
the Keystone XL [extension] was rejected once again. It has been rejected before and sent back to the TransCanada drawing board, several times by Canada. And once rerouted around the Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska, it will pass. It's been in the making since before 2007. The pipeline through Kansas and much of Oklahoma is already done. And where Canada is the US's largest source of foreign crude oil, much of it is being refined as we read in Illinois. So guess what folks! Keystone XL is designed so that more Canadian crude can be refined in the US than we now are able to handle and Houston is the refinery location of choice so that much of it can be exported into the Atlantic!
So let's stop all of this neo-con cry baby routine! It's beneath your dignity!
Rational Human posted at 7:48 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
As Another Gov’t-Funded Energy Co. Goes Under, Obama Admin Announces More Loans. “The company, Ener1, received a $118 million grant from DOE [Department of Energy] in 2010 as part of the president’s stimulus package,” writes the Heritage Foundation’s Lachlan Markay. “The money, which went to Ener1 subsidiary EnerDel, aimed to promote renewable energy storage battery technology for electrical grid use.”
Today, Ener1 announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Despite the generous federal support Ener1 received (Vice President Biden even visited Ener1, January 26, 2011, the day after the President pledged in his State of the Union address to put “one million advanced technology vehicles on the road by 2015” with the help of taxpayer funding), and like several other now-bankrupt energy companies, Ener1 was “racked by problems.”
The Vice President mistakenly, but appropriately, refers to the bankrupt company as “Enron one”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ixt82lp8NDc
sdjtaz posted at 8:29 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Annie, a couple of points regarding your letter. First, at no point during this construction will there ever be 13, 000 jobs being held. The way that the TransCanada created this number is by stating that construction would create 6,500 temporary jobs in the first year and 6,500 temporary jobs in the second year of construction, then combining the two numbers together. Once the pipeline is completed, there will only be a few hundred permenant jobs added in the United States.
Second, the majority of the oil that will be shipped to Texas is already sold in the United States (thoughout the Midwest). Once it is shipped to Texas, the oil would be sold to overseas markets, thereby driving the price of gas up in the Midwest.
Third, the support for this pipeline is not unlimited. Many, including the Republican Governor of Nebraska, have asked the President to wait on this bill to see what the final route of the pipeline will be. The Governor opposed the pipeline's current route since it would endanger the water supply for his citizens.
The reason the President vetoed this project was because Republican politicians forced the bill to be signed or rejected in sixty days as a political manuever. This was done even though the Republicans knew that there are still outstanding questions regarding the route of the pipeline, pipeline security, and also whether the United States would benefit long term from this project. Once these questions are answered to our liking, we can proceed with the pipeline. However, trying to force this project down our throats without an answer to these questions is extremely dangerous.
truth posted at 9:43 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Rational Human, All you can produce are half truth , you must get all you information from FOX NEWS, there are many companies who file chapter 11 or bankruptcy ever year just ask Donald Trump.
Rational Human posted at 9:44 am on Sat, Jan 28, 2012.
I don't watch or read any mainstream news media. It's all propaganda and lies.