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How do you DEAL with US Senators who vote for the XL based on this reasoning?
The reasons seem to be, "More Jobs! … Not so bad environmental impact!
PA has Pat Toomey ® and Bob Casey (D). I'm pretty shocked that in response to my concerns about the XL, I get THIS response fro Bob Casey -
Dear Mrs. _________:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.
The TransCanada Corporation, a Canadian company, has proposed a plan to build a pipeline to carry crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada to refineries in Texas. If approved, the Keystone XL pipeline would double the capacity of an existing pipeline and would transport more than 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil. Because the pipeline would cross the Canadian-U.S. border, construction requires a Presidential Permit.
On January 29, 2015, I voted in support of S. 1, legislation authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota. The bill passed by a vote of 62-36. Having passed the Senate, this legislation was sent to the House of Representatives, where it passed on February 11, 2015 by a vote of 270-152. It will be sent to the President, who is expected to veto it. I voted for the bill out my belief that the pipeline will create jobs, promote economic development and increase energy security.
While I recognize that there are individuals who have significant concerns about the environmental impacts of the pipeline, the State Department Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Keystone XL pipeline stated that the pipeline would support increased employment and provide benefits to the economy. Similarly, the State Department Final Environmental Impact Statement also assessed the potential impacts of the pipeline on the human and natural environment. The EIS determined that the incremental, or “net,” life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be about 0.02%-0.45% of U.S. annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Prior to final passage of the bill, the Senate considered a number of amendments to the bill, ultimately passing six of them, each with my support: the Cornyn Amendment 126 to ensure private property is protected, the Murkowski Amendment 123 to express the sense of the Senate that all forms of petroleum should be subject to excise tax for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, the Whitehouse Amendment 29 expressing the sense of the Senate that climate change is real, the Portman Amendment 3 to promote energy efficiency, the Collins Amendment 35 regarding energy retrofitting assistance to schools and the Barrasso Amendment 245 to clarify that consultation with Indian tribes remain in effect. In addition, there were other amendments that did not receive the necessary votes to pass, though I supported them, such as the Schatz Amendment 58 to express the sense of Congress that climate change is real and caused by human activity and the Gillibrand Amendment 48 which would have closed an exemption for hydraulic fracturing currently in the Safe Drinking Water Act. I also heard from a number of Pennsylvanians regarding the Coats Amendment 66, related to regulations on mining. However, this amendment did not come up for a vote.
I understand that Pennsylvanians on both sides of this issue have deeply held convictions. Whatever my own views on the matter, as your U.S. Senator, I appreciate the benefit of your input and will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to monitor this issue closely.
As always, I appreciate your views, thoughts and concerns as they assist me in understanding what is important to the people of Pennsylvania. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.
For more information on this or other issues, I encourage you to visit my website, http://casey.senate.gov. I hope you will find this online office a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.
The TransCanada Corporation, a Canadian company, has proposed a plan to build a pipeline to carry crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada to refineries in Texas. If approved, the Keystone XL pipeline would double the capacity of an existing pipeline and would transport more than 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil. Because the pipeline would cross the Canadian-U.S. border, construction requires a Presidential Permit.
On January 29, 2015, I voted in support of S. 1, legislation authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota. The bill passed by a vote of 62-36. Having passed the Senate, this legislation was sent to the House of Representatives, where it passed on February 11, 2015 by a vote of 270-152. It will be sent to the President, who is expected to veto it. I voted for the bill out my belief that the pipeline will create jobs, promote economic development and increase energy security.
While I recognize that there are individuals who have significant concerns about the environmental impacts of the pipeline, the State Department Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Keystone XL pipeline stated that the pipeline would support increased employment and provide benefits to the economy. Similarly, the State Department Final Environmental Impact Statement also assessed the potential impacts of the pipeline on the human and natural environment. The EIS determined that the incremental, or “net,” life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be about 0.02%-0.45% of U.S. annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Prior to final passage of the bill, the Senate considered a number of amendments to the bill, ultimately passing six of them, each with my support: the Cornyn Amendment 126 to ensure private property is protected, the Murkowski Amendment 123 to express the sense of the Senate that all forms of petroleum should be subject to excise tax for the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, the Whitehouse Amendment 29 expressing the sense of the Senate that climate change is real, the Portman Amendment 3 to promote energy efficiency, the Collins Amendment 35 regarding energy retrofitting assistance to schools and the Barrasso Amendment 245 to clarify that consultation with Indian tribes remain in effect. In addition, there were other amendments that did not receive the necessary votes to pass, though I supported them, such as the Schatz Amendment 58 to express the sense of Congress that climate change is real and caused by human activity and the Gillibrand Amendment 48 which would have closed an exemption for hydraulic fracturing currently in the Safe Drinking Water Act. I also heard from a number of Pennsylvanians regarding the Coats Amendment 66, related to regulations on mining. However, this amendment did not come up for a vote.
I understand that Pennsylvanians on both sides of this issue have deeply held convictions. Whatever my own views on the matter, as your U.S. Senator, I appreciate the benefit of your input and will keep your thoughts in mind as I continue to monitor this issue closely.
As always, I appreciate your views, thoughts and concerns as they assist me in understanding what is important to the people of Pennsylvania. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about this or any other matter of importance to you.
For more information on this or other issues, I encourage you to visit my website, http://casey.senate.gov. I hope you will find this online office a comprehensive resource to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington, request assistance from my office or share with me your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and to Pennsylvania.
Sincerely,
Bob Casey
United States Senator
7 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
"Obama: Keystone XL pipeline not major jobs creator"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014424320
Republicans say no to American-made steel for Keystone XL
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014993352
"Pic Of The Moment: Factcheckers Call Bullshit On Keystone XL Jobs Claim"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017227280
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/keystone-pipeline-jobs-claims-a-bipartisan-fumble/2011/12/13/gIQAwxFisO_blog.html
"Among the list of jobs that would be created: 51 dancers and choreographers, 138 dentists, 176 dental hygienists, 100 librarians, 510 bread bakers, 448 clergy, 154 stenographers, 865 hairdressers, 136 manicurists, 110 shampooers, 65 farmers, and (our favorite) 1,714 bartenders.
He even suggested the project would create jobs for 898 reporters and 98 public relations people, but that ratio seems off these days. Surely, it must be reversed. Anyway, you get the picture. "
