After a lull in Congressional debate over the proposed TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, Republicans are discussing whether or not to inject the project’s approval into the partisan debate over a debt-ceiling hike.
According to the National Journal, a House GOP aide claimed House Republicans discussed including provisions to any legislation related to the debt ceiling, opening the door for controversial Keystone pipeline approval. The aide told the news organization it’s “now certain” the Keystone rider will be a part of any related bill.
Adding the pipeline rider would put the president and the Democrats in a tough position. President Barack Obama has delayed approval of the pipeline, citing the need for an environmental assessment before its approval, a decision that now rests in his hands. Attaching its approval to any debt ceiling legislation would be pitting the president against an imminent shutdown and the approval of a project the environmental community is strongly against.
The pipeline, which would cut through more 1,180 miles of U.S. land, has been the subject of controversy — those living along the pipeline’s path have been vocal in their opposition to eminent domain claims and the potentially damaging impacts of tar sand oil spills. Those in favor of the project have bolstered it as an opportunity to put Americans back to work. The figures related to job growth are disputed, but the Canadian corporation pins them at around 20,000.
Another argument touted by pro-Keystone advocates has been energy independence. Yet the intent of the pipeline is not — and never was — to provide oil to the U.S. Instead, the pipeline provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, where it is able to reach the global market.
The Canadian government, along with TransCanada, has admitted the need for the U.S. to serve as the middleman, in order for the country’s now-abundant Alberta tar sands to reach a broader market. In 2011, canadian Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver stated the importance of U.S. approval.
“We export 97 percent of our energy to the U.S. and we would like to diversify that,” Oliver said at the 2011 APEX Transportation and Energy conference in California.
While the president hasn’t come out in full support of the pipeline, some Democrats are joining the side of pro-pipeline advocates, siding with pressure of labor unions promoting the project as an employment generator. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) is one Democrat who would waste no time in voting for approval.
“We have delayed building the Keystone XL pipeline for far too long,” Manchin said. “Let’s not waste another minute debating the approval of the Keystone pipeline and finally begin its construction.”
Since June, nearly 70,000 people have signed on to petitions declaring they will carry out acts of civil disobedience if the project is approved, largely in solidarity with farmers and ranchers living along the Keystone pipeline’s path.