Professor Michael Mann: Approving Keystone XL could be the biggest mistake of Obama's presidency

[marmar]

Approving Keystone XL could be the biggest mistake of Obama's presidency
A State Department report fails to take into account the full climate impacts of Keystone XL. Who is Obama protecting?

Michael Mann
theguardian.com, Friday 31 January 2014


I have made my position on the Keystone XL pipeline quite clear. Approving this hotly debated pipeline would send America down the wrong path. The science tells us now is the time that we should be throwing everything we have into creating a clean 21st century energy economy, not doubling down on the dirty energy that is imperiling our planet.

Now that the State Department has just released a final environmental impact report on Keystone XL, which appears to downplay the threat, and greatly increases the odds that the Obama administration will approve the project, I feel I must weigh in once again.

The simple fact is this: if Keystone XL is built, it will be easier to exploit fossil fuel reserves large enough to drastically destabilize the climate. A direct pipeline to refineries and global markets makes the business of polluting the atmosphere that much cheaper and easier.

The only truly accurate examination of the pipeline would include a full cost accounting its environmental footprint. It needs to take into account how much energy is consumed in refining and transporting the crude from oil sands. It must acknowledge that the pipeline would lower the cost and raise the convenience of extracting and exporting the incredibly carbon-intensive deposits of oil. ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/31/keystone-xl-pipeline-obama-state-department-impact

[on point]

1. Also opportunity cost. Billions of $ for pipeline better spent on renewables

[peoli]

2. k&r

[frwrfpos]

3. rec

This is yet another horrible decision if he signs off on this disaster.

Greed while fucking over the environment is a lose lose for the American people.


McCain would support this unmitigated bullshit. Guess what i didnt vote for republican disasters and shit policy. But i guess were going to get it anyway


Makes me fucking angry

[joeybee12]

4. Agree..the State Department's "Study" was nothing more than a whitewash

In order to give Obama an out.

[liberal_at_heart]

5. I have a feeling the TPP will be the biggest mistake of his presidency, but Keystone

is definitely right up there.