COLUMN: Republicans played cards wrong with Keystone pipeline
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama directed the State Department to deny a permit for the TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, an oil pipeline that would stretch from Alberta to the Gulf Coast states, allowing refineries there to process crude from Canadian oil sands.
The pipeline was supported by the conservative Canadian government, as well as most Republicans in Congress. Democrats were mixed on the issue; many unions were in favor of the project, as it would bring jobs to the region, while environmentalists remained opposed.
Where the pipeline issue got trickier was in Nebraska — both Republicans and Democrats there were opposed to the current proposed path, because it would pass over the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water to most of Nebraska and a large portion of the Midwest. Because of their objections, new potential paths were explored. However, that required more environmental studies, and that could take up to a year to complete.
Republicans in Congress argued the project needs to go forward so jobs can be created as soon as possible and placed a section in a payroll tax cut bill that was passed last year ordering Obama to issue the permit, unless he found the pipeline would not serve the national interest.
Ultimately, Congress has no power to tell Obama to issue a permit, because Congress has no regulatory power over pipeline permits.
Instead of letting the proper process run its course so Obama could make an educated decision with all the facts, Republicans tried to force his hand — Obama refused to allow that. He rejected the permit, but in statements he has released, he appears open to considering the pipeline in the future.
TransCanada has expressed interest in reapplying for a permit. If they do so, the proper environmental studies can be done, and Obama will likely approve the project as long as no other problems are found.
Quite honestly, the Republicans caused serious harm here. The project is a good project, but it should not be approved until we know what the potential impacts are. They knew Obama would likely reject the permit if forced to decide.
What message does this send to Nebraskans: that Congress does not care about their concerns? Even if Obama issued the permit, Nebraska could still deny the construction of the pipeline if it was viewed as environmentally harmful. Republicans told TransCanada and the Canadian government they would rather play partisan politics than enhance international oil relations.
The Republicans are not solely to blame. Obama could have simply ignored Congress’ mandate and waited for the studies to be completed. Congress had no right to tell him what to do, and he would have easily won a court case if challenged.
This project is good for the economy, but if it is to go forward, both sides need to stop playing games.
Editor's note: Nathan Inks is the president of the College Republicans.
