Keystone XL flowing ahead

Report makes it much more likely Obama will approve it. He put off the decision until after the 2012 election since it divided the party...unions - yes, enviros - no. The report says that tar sands oil is coming out of the ground no matter what. Never thought anything could prevent it. Money just there for the taking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/01/u...ase-way-to-approval-of-keystone-pipeline.html

 

That's one of the sillier things I've ever heard of in a government report. They Koch brothers must have written it themselves.

BTW, Its still got to make it through the lawsuits. That could take years.

Obama always was going to approve it. He is and always was a corporatist. He's just trying to figure out how to get his base to suck it up.

 

Nebraska court says "not so fast":

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/20/keystone-pipeline-nebraska_n_4822667.html

 

This is what happens when people come and take a look for themselves:

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/05/3368171/keystone-ed-schultz-oppose/#

It ain't over 'til its over.

 

Hilarious Repub attempt to use the Ukraine crisis to justify building it....
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-06/using-ukraine-to-justify-keystone-is-silly

 

The XL Pipeline has spawned some odd pairings of conservatives and liberals, cowboys and Indians. Here's some pictures from the ongoing protests against the pipeline (odd that you hear nothing of it in the news). This is a group called The Cowboy and Indian Alliance:






President Obama further postponed making a decision on the pipeline last week. He said he can't make a decision until a route is finalized through Nebraska.

 

And the real reason is he wants to wait until after the mid term elections since his base is divided on this issue.

 

Quite probable. He's already alienated his base on several issues. He's afraid if he oks it, his base won't show up to the polls. Even if he approves it, it still has to work its way through the courts. That could take years.

There's some indication though that enough delay will translate into TransCanada taking their toys and going home. They want to make money now, not years from now. And the longer this goes on, the more money its costing them.

 

Outside Magazine had an article on the effects of tar sands oil extraction on First Nations People in Alberta.

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/nature/The-High-Cost-of-Oil.html

I've found that Outside does better reporting on many issues than the so-called "news." A while back they had an excellent article on problems at Everest between climbers and Sherpas.

 

Keystone XL unlikely to happen:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-keystone-xl-pipeline-already-113000920.html

 

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead:

Obama to announce rejection of Keystone pipeline: source


I'm sure there's other things they'll try and they're sure to file for a permit if we get a Republican president in the next election, but its dead for now.

 

But Jeb, who we all trust says....
"The Obama Admin's politically motivated rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline is a self-inflicted attack on the U.S. economy and jobs."

 

Is there really any prospect of another Bush administration? Or could you end up with Bush because even your republicans couldn't face a Trump presidential candidate?
But, well done Obama.

 

And quite a few of the major players in the Tar sands are now cutting back on new investments, all good news.

 

That has more to do with oil prices than our efforts, I'm sure.

 

You are,unfortunately, probably right, the move from high cost oil fields, the disinvestment programme, the looming demise of coal, they are all about the 'market' looking at the future and not seeing much of one for traditional Fossil fuels.
It's a shame that the accelerating move from carbon to renewables is being driven by the thirst for corporate profits rather than a genuine desire to avert AGW, but if it gets the boat moving in the right direction, so be it.

 

I think it was going to generate 35/40 full time permanent jobs Not a lot of return for such a risky venture.

 

You're never going to get these sociopaths to make the change any other way. If its a change in the economic tide that makes them change their short-sighted view of the world, then so be it. They sure aren't going to do it because "it's the right thing to do."

On to the next fight. There's a hearing this morning on this proposal to limit wind power:

Proposed turbine noise rules would be most restrictive in state : Lincoln, NE Journal Star

This is an industry-based ploy to limit how far we can change over to renewables. We're projected to be at 50% renewables by 2020 so they have to slow it down to keep their market.

 

Aye whey, when they move to another areas/states that are receptive to wind power, and when the residents of Lancaster county realise what they have lost in jobs and associated community benefits they might just decide to punish the graft ridden oops, short sighted legislators responsible for this stupidity.
Bugger, the NIMBYism and downright graft involved in fighting RE proposals is unbelievable.

 

Unfortunately, we lost this round. The vote was 3-2. The deciding vote was a guy who flipped on us at the last minute. One of the votes against us is up for reelection next year. We're going to try to get them off the board and replace them with someone friendly. Even if we succeed, there won't be wind power here for the foreseeable future.

Overall it was a good week.

 

Dr. James Hansen addresses the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder's meeting.

Mr. Buffett's Ark

If you're wondering how that happened it was because a couple of environmentalist groups bought an A-share so they could put a climate change measure on the ballot at the shareholder meeting.

I had to laugh at one friend of mine. His group was one that bought a share. They paid $180,000 for it. The current price is somewhere between $220,000 and $230,000. I had to explain it to him three times before he understood that their "investment" had gained $40K or more. He's a card carrying socialist and I think he was a bit stunned to find he'd become a capitalist despite his best efforts.

I'll see if I can find some pictures of the protest outside.

 

The government quietly just approved this enormous oil pipeline

Notice they avoided Nebraska.

 

North Dakota's Standing Rock Sioux aren't backing down to pipeline developers

 

Scenes from the Dakota Access Pipeline protester camps

 

The Dakota Access Pipeline guards unleash attack dogs on our American Indian Water Protectors

 

That blood on the dog's mouth is from biting protesters. Six protesters and a horse were treated for dog-bite. Another dozen for pepper spray.

The dogs are reported to be owned by a private security company that provides dogs named "Frost Kennels."

 

Unbelievable scenes. Thanks for the updates.

 

The thing I've been constantly astounded by is the lack of any mainstream news coverage. When I compare it to the coverage of the Bundy group's occupation of federal lands I'm at a loss to explain it. The only things that come to mind is the color of the protester's skin and the presence of large calibre weapons.

 

Judge fails to block Dakota pipeline construction as Native American burial sites destroyed