Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, October 25, 2013

Keystone XL Pipeline: Business Leaders Turn Screws On Obama To Approve Project

TORONTO - A who's who of North America's business leaders are turning the screws on the Obama administration to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.

They've sent a letter to Obama urging him to approve the controversial pipeline.

The letter is signed by more than 165 CEO's and presidents of companies ranging from Boeing to AT&T to Caterpillar Inc. and ExxonMobil.

The letter says the decision on Keystone will affect both investor confidence and the ability of the U.S. economy to speedily grow.

There has been intense opposition to Keystone, which would ship crude oil from Alberta to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

But the letter, dated Oct. 9, says it's possible to manage the environmental risks that many people are concerned about.

"Those risks, like those incumbent in many other significant projects, must – and can – be managed, through appropriate regulation and careful stewardship," the letter states. "Keystone XL will meet nearly 60 special conditions set by regulators to minimize risks, and ultimately the net environmental impact of the pipeline would be minimal."

"We urge you to approve the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline to signal to the world that the necessary ingredients for a strengthened U.S. recovery are in place and bolster the foundations of U.S. competitiveness and energy security," the letter concludes.

Trans-Canada Corporation (TSX:TRP) issued a news release Thursday night, expressing its satisfaction with the fact the letter was sent to Obama.

The temperature on Keystone has risen in recent weeks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper vowing that Canada would not take "'no' for an answer until the project is approved.

The majority of Republicans in the House of Representatives, and some Democrats, have long been staunch supporters of Keystone XL. Last year Republicans pushed a mandate through Congress demanding Obama approve the $5.3-billion pipeline within a strict deadline.

But the State Department was still assessing the project amid concerns from the state of Nebraska that Keystone XL posed risks to a crucial drinking water aquifer.

The president invited TransCanada to submit another application, one that would reroute the pipeline around the aquifer.

Environmentalists argue that approving Keystone XL will encourage oilsands crude production, which emits more carbon into the atmosphere than conventional oil production.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Author: CP

No comments:

Post a Comment