Calling it "the kind of project America really needs," Sen. Jim Risch issued his own guest opinion today touting the Keystone XL pipeline.
His arguments: the project will create privately funded jobs and reduce U.S. dependence on oil from the Mideast.
Wrote Risch, R-Idaho: "We must have energy security. That means developing energy sources at home and with our friends. Our country must not rely so heavily on Middle East oil and be caught flat-footed if Iran causes problems in the Strait of Hormuz or other instabilities arise. This project forms a partnership to ensure reliability and that we will not be held hostage to the whims of tyrants."
Risch issued his guest opinion just hours after Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, wrote a piece in favor of the project.
Here, in full, is Risch's guest opinion:
When President Obama rejected building the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to refineries as far as the Gulf Coast, he acted contrary to his claims that he wants job growth and energy independence.
The Keystone XL pipeline is the kind of project America really needs. It will employ thousands of workers and be paid for by the private sector, rather than our tax dollars.
Construction of the 1,700-mile transcontinental pipeline will cost private entities $7 billion. That money will pour into our economy through wages and purchases of goods and services. The ripple effect of these jobs and purchases will spread not only through the region, but the whole country, where 14 million Americans are still out of work.
This pipeline would deliver 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta, Canada, to U.S. refineries. It will also be a conduit for another 100,000 barrels per day from the Bakken region of Montana and North Dakota.
We must have energy security. That means developing energy sources at home and with our friends. Our country must not rely so heavily on Middle East oil and be caught flat-footed if Iran causes problems in the Strait of Hormuz or other instabilities arise. This project forms a partnership to ensure reliability and that we will not be held hostage to the whims of tyrants.
I was a co-sponsor of legislation requiring the president to make a decision on the pipeline. He denied the permit, saying it did not give him enough time for review. Yet his State Department has studied the issue for three years and was prepared to make a recommendation at the end of 2011. Instead, President Obama played politics and tried to delay the decision until after the fall elections. That is when Congress decided to force his hand.
The arguments against the pipeline do not add up. The U.S. already has more than 50,000 miles of crude oil pipelines safely operating every day. The Nebraska governor has said they can find a pipeline route around their aquifer.
Radical environmentalists want the pipeline stopped because they do not like the way the oil is being extracted. However, Canada will not stop developing their oil sands just because the U.S. pipeline is not built. Canada has already said it has another buyer — China!
The Keystone XL pipeline is a project that will use private investment to create sustainable jobs, reduce our dependency on Middle Eastern oil and could be built in an environmentally friendly way.
The president was wrong — we need the Keystone XL pipeline — and the sooner, the better. And I will continue fighting to make it a reality.
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Jobs in Texas
Instead of a pipeline to Texas how about a refinery in Montana or even Idaho? Instead of advocating for jobs in our neck of the woods, our oil dependant Senators are shilling for Texas and Louisiana based refineries who will turn this oil into finished product and ship it on to China and India. Instead of lower prices for refined oil products in the northwest, they are advocating for increased domestic price hikes as this Canadian raw product is turned into an American export of refined products. Once again, our Senators are demonstrating clearly exactly who it is that they work for and it is not the people of Idaho.
competition
As it stands now the US is the only buyer for these Canadian oils. Once the pipeline is completed this oil and its refined products are available to the highest bidder. There is a good chance that Canadian oil will become more expensive not less.
very suspecious indeed
OK so benevolant Canada wants to give their US neighbors a break with some cheep oil. Why do they want to run an expensive pipeline all the way to Texas when there are excellant refineries in Billings etc? Something very fishy going on here for sure. If it's refined in Texas, they've got a port to ship overseas for high profit, so much for the Republican promised high paying jobs. Believe me the Republicans are not on the 99% er's side. Vote these guys out of office!
'to tout', is to solicit a vote in a brazen way. Hmmm.
A liberals description of a disagreement with Obama. At least our author is consistent.
The oil
will be going to China anyway, so let the Canadians build their pipeline to Vancouver, B.C.
As usual, Risch is living in fantasy land.
First of all the pipeline is
First of all the pipeline is not dead; Crapo & Risch are simply follow orders to issue public statements.
Interesting that Idaho two senators who are most notably funded by the Koch brothers have been given the assignment to have their staffs issue local and state press releases to influence the low information tater into support the Keystone Xl pipeline.
This national coordinated conservative media blitz by republican politicians has been directed by the Koch brothers funded organization to counter an open government request for testimony by the Koch brothers in front of congress to explain their cloaked involvement in the pipeline and to explain how there billion dollar oil refining businesses will benefit from the pipeline.
The Koch brothers are heavily into energy. they told Canada’s National Energy Board in an official regulatory filing that they have a direct and substantial interest in the application for the pipeline, yet they denied it in america.
Crapo & Risch and soon, I am sure Labrador all have been directed to do as there master’s the Koch brothers wish.
Hardworking Idahoan should be very concerned that when the Koch bros say jump our congressional delegation says how high…… our states ability to think for itself has been block by outside interests such as the Koch brothers and our corrupt congressional representation.
Taters get reading....... and understand the facts, a final decision has only been delayed while a more acceptable route through an environmentally sensitive region of Nebraska is negotiated.
The President of the United States was forced to rejected the project to avoid a Feb. 21 deadline imposed on him by the Republicans. Interesting that republicans looked to force this thru without proper review, of an acceptable route and protections for the environment.
Low information Idahoans here is a big fact never talked about…………..the disputed section is only 65 miles in Nebraska, a small fraction of the pipeline overall line's 1,700-mile length.
That it 65 miles is all they need compromise on and republican and oil companies and the Koch brothers refuse.
Twist it all you want the facts speak for themselves.
Bottomline..........The Keystone XL pipeline is a go............but the republicans and the wealthy elitist puppet masters and there corporations refuse to give into basic requests of the environment, federal oversight and responsibility………….
these republicans and elitists corporations seek an unregulated pipeline……………unregulated……no laws…….. and not be held accountable for an oil spill or polluting of the water, land and air………….
Wow
Those evil Canadians, trying to sell us their oil. Guess we will just have to buy it from people who support terrorists instead. You have me convinced.
Ok, without sarcasm. It's been a while since I have seen such a bunch of lame excuses and conspiracy theories against building something. You people are a piece of work.
Truth is hard to come by
This was the same argument
This was the same argument for Alaska oil. Check where the oil went. Not the US. If you want to develop the oil for our use send the pipeline to an interior refinery for use here.
See how that sells for those using the argument that it removes our dependence on overseas oil.
Risch is trying to cover his own faults... and failing
He cosponsored the bill attempting to accelerate the decision, arguably a pure political play.
And Risch and pals lost. The political calculation was that president would be coerced into approving it, hastily, because the proponents would clobber him with negative publicity if he said no.
So fine, bring it on Senator. But I have no reason to believe the projections you've assembled and presented as "facts" because you've not established credibility.