Washington, D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress issued the following statement on the Keystone XL pipeline permit:
The State Department’s assessment that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline will have only a limited environmental impact should not be the final word from the Obama administration on the plan to sharply increase imports of dirty tar sands oil from Canada to the United States. But it is unfortunate because it builds momentum for a final permit approval by the end of this year.
At a time when the United States should be doing everything in its power to reduce carbon dioxide pollution and speed the transition to cleaner fuels, the Keystone XL pipeline would be a step backward. Getting oil from Canada’s tar sands is a dirty business, considerably dirtier in terms of carbon pollution than producing conventional oil. That is why hundreds of protesters have been gathering at the White House in recent days, subjecting themselves to arrest on behalf of a cleaner planet. While some will argue that their actions are for naught, since with or without U.S. cooperation the Alberta tar sands will get developed, the United States should not be morally implicated in the acceleration of bringing this dirty product to market and the climate impacts it will have.
President Obama has demonstrated leadership in reducing American’s oil use by modernizing vehicle fuel economy and tailpipe standards that will reduce oil use by 2.5 million barrels daily. Americans look again to his leadership to continue along this path by rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline permit. It is not in the national interest, nor is it in humanity’s interest.
To speak with CAP experts on the issue, please contact Christina DiPasquale at [email protected] or 202.481.8181.
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