Commentary: Obama and the Keystone Pipeline

President Obama's game of football when it comes to the Keystone XL Pipeline seems to have finally ended with the ball in his hands. Monday Jay Carney, his press secretary, said the decision on what happens with the pipeline will be in the State Department's hands. However the State Department really has nothing to do it. Tuesday he turned that around and said he himself will make the decision.

Obama said on KETV “We need to encourage domestic natural gas and oil production. We need to make sure that we have energy security and aren’t just relying on Middle East sources. But there’s a way of doing that and still making sure that the health and safety of the American people and folks in Nebraska are protected, and that’s how I’ll be measuring these recommendations when they come to me,” he said.

Note the emboldened words. These buzzwords need to be addressed. Instead of actually investing in alternative energy sources, probably because he's afraid of the conservative media backlash, President Obama is promoting dirty nonrenewable energy. As far as “energy security” goes what's more secure than harnessing natural and renewable sources? Is he afraid Iran will turn off the Sun (I admit I'd be fascinated if it happened)?

The fact several strong lobbyists, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Petroleum Industry, and several more are backing this idea also should make one pause before they think this is a good idea. These are powerful groups which stand to make a huge profit if he decides to go forward with the pipeline. As usual they also hit their oft-repeated mantra of “This will create jobs and improve energy security.” I'd like to know how many jobs and lives would be destroyed if this pipeline – and it will if the oil lobbyists get this done – polluted the water, air, or ground. I'd also like to know who is going to be held accountable when people start getting incredibly sick. I promise you it won't be the companies. The BP oil spilled proved it.

Originally Obama's decision was supposed to come near the end of the year but now it seems it will be next year at the earliest.  Now, according to Reuters says an anonymous official said last week the deadline is likely to slide.