Connecting the Keystone XL Pipeline, Obamacare, and the Ukraine Dots

Obama Delays XL Pipeline Decision Until After Midterm Elections

Saturday, 19 Apr 2014 05:44 AM

By Newsmax Wires

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/keystone-xl-comment-period/2014/04/18/id/566445

The Obama administration said Friday it's extending its review of the Keystone XL pipeline – a procedural punt that could put off a decision until after midterms – unleashing howls of protest from both Republicans and Democrats who want the project approved.

State Department officials cited ongoing litigation in Nebraska over the pipeline’s route, and said more time was needed to allow for comment.

The indecision over the northern leg of TransCanada’s pipeline, which would connect the tar sands of Alberta to oil refineries and export facilities in Texas, has dragged on for nearly six years – and the debate has put President Obama in a tough spot with supporters, some of whom are pushing for the the job-creating project, and environmentalists who are vehemently opposed.

“This delay is shameful," Republican House Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.

"With tens of thousands of American jobs on the line and our allies in Eastern Europe looking for energy leadership from America, it’s clear there is little this administration isn’t willing to sacrifice for politics. This job-creating project has cleared every environmental hurdle and overwhelmingly passed the test of public opinion, yet it’s been blocked for more than 2,000 days."

Boehner also alluded to the crisis in Ukraine, saying "energy security sends signals across borders, and nations in the region hoping for greater American energy exports will no doubt take notice of this egregious decision."

New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Heidi Heitkamp also blasted the delay, calling it "absolutely ridiculous," while Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., called the delay "irresponsible, unnecessary and unacceptable," Fox News reported.

"By making it clear that they will not move the process forward until there is a resolution in a lawsuit in Nebraska, the administration is sending a signal that the small minority who oppose the pipeline can tie up the process in court forever," Landrieu said. "There are 42,000 jobs, $20 billion in economic activity and North America's energy security at stake."

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in a statement reported by Politico, said the delay only shows "It is crystal clear that the Obama administration is simply not serious about American energy and American jobs."

"Here’s the single greatest shovel-ready project in America — one that could create thousands of jobs right away — but the President simply isn’t interested. Apparently radical activists carry more weight than Americans desperate to get back on the job."

Nebraska Republican Rep. Lee Terry, whom Politico described as one of the pipeline’s biggest supporters in Congress, slammed Obama's "audacity to stand at the podium at the White House press office and lecture Republicans in Congress about the need to make tough decisions."

"But today, he punted a tough decision in the name of political expediency.”

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, called the delay "a stunning act of political cowardice," Politico reported.

And North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven said it was clear the president "wants to get this past the midterms."

"I'm not convinced that's a good strategy. Because people are going to see it for the political decision that it is."

The decision could also put Obama at odds with Canadian politicians who also want to see an end to delays and indecision.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office was "disappointed that politics continue to delay a decision," his spokesman said.

Environmentalists were heartened.

Jane Kleep, director of Bold Nebraska, a progressive advocacy group, insisted the new delay in the project "is yet more proof this project is not permit-able and not in our national interest," Think Progress reported.

She said litigation before the Nebraska Supreme Court will likely not be settled until about January 2015 – and that South Dakota’s permit granted for the pipeline expires this June 20, which means TransCanada would have to reapply for a state permit afterward.

The latest delay comes just a week after a group of 11 Senate Democrats – five of them looking to get re-elected this year – urged Obama to make up his mind by May 31.

They included Landrieu, as well as Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Warner of Virginia, all of them up for re-election. All were backers of the Keystone project.

"This decision must not drag on into the summer,” the letter urged. Democratic Senators Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, and Jon Tester and John Walsh, both of Montana, also signed the plea.

Keystone XL pipeline

Environmental Resources Management helped produce State Department environmental impact statement for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Note: Andrew Bielakowski is a senior project manager for the Environmental Resources Management, and was a consultant for the TransCanada Corporation.

TransCanada Corporation is the proposed builder for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Susan E. Rice is a stockholder in the TransCanada Corporation, the White House national security adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Brookings Institution (think tank), and the Center for American Progress.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, and a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

Robert A. Helman was an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and a partner at Mayer Brown.

William M. Daley is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, was the chief of staff for the Barack Obama administration, and a partner at Mayer Brown.

William M. Daley 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_M._Daley

Professional career 

Daley returned to the practice of law, as a partner with the firm Mayer Brown (then Mayer, Brown & Platt) from 1993 to 1997.

Mayer Brown was the lobby firm for the TransCanada Pipelines Limited.

TransCanada Pipelines Limited is a subsidiary of the TransCanada Corporation.

TransCanada Corporation is the proposed builder for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Teresa Heinz Kerry is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and married to John F. Kerry.

John F. Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry, and the secretary at the secretary for the U.S. Department of State for the Barack Obama administration.

Keystone XL pipeline requires approval from the U.S. Department of State.

All Risk No Reward Coalition is opposing U.S. approval, opposes the Keystone XL pipeline.

William A. Burton is a co-founder for the All Risk No Reward Coalition, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and was the deputy press secretary for the Barack Obama administration.

TransCanada Corporation is a SKDKnickerbocker client.

Anita B. Dunn is a managing director at SKDKnickerbocker, the head of media for the Barack Obama Presidential Library, married to Robert F. Bauer, produced ad campaign for the Keystone XL pipeline, was the communications director for the Barack Obama administration, and Tom Daschle’s senior political adviser.

Illinois Taxpayers to Give $100 Million for Obama Library (Past Research for the Barack Obama Presidential Library)

http://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2014/04/illinois-taxpayers-to-give-100-million.html

Robert F. Bauer is married to Anita B. Dunn, a partner at Perkins Coie, was the White House counsel for the Barack Obama administration, and Barack Obama’s personal counsel.

Obama's birth-certificate lawyer now FCC attack dog

http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/obamas-birth-certificate-lawyer-now-fcc-attack-dog

NEW YORK – Perkins Coie, the Seattle-based law firm that has defended Barack Obama in lawsuits challenging the authenticity of his birth records, has emerged as the muscle for Federal Communications Commission threats against media that run advertising critical of Obamacare and of Democrats running for election in November 2014.

Tom Daschle’s senior political adviser was Anita B. Dunn, was the nominee for health and human services secretary for the Barack Obama administration, is the chairman for the Center for American Progress, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

William A. Burton is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a co-founder for the All Risk No Reward Coalition, and was the deputy press secretary for the Barack Obama administration.

All Risk No Reward Coalition is opposing U.S. approval, opposes the Keystone XL pipeline.

TransCanada Corporation is the proposed builder for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Peter G. Peterson Foundation is a media consultant for SKDKnickerbocker, and was a funder for the Committee for Economic Development.

Peter G. Peterson is the founder of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, and a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

Donna S. Morea was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, and the EVP for the CGI Group Inc.

CGI Group Inc. was the Obamacare contractor that developed Healthcare.gov web site.

Obamacare is Barack Obama’s signature policy initiative.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Committee for Economic Development.

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Richard H. Davis is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, and the managing director for Davis Manafort.

Viktor F. Yanukovich is a Davis Manafort client, Viktor F. Yanukovich is his ally & financial backer, and was the president of the Ukraine.

Viktor F. Yanukovich is Viktor F. Yanukovich’s ally & financial backer, and an apartment owner at One Hyde Park (London).

Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is an apartment owner at One Hyde Park (London), and the founder of Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera acquired Current TV.

Current TV was a division of Current Media, LLC.

Albert A. Gore Jr. was the co-founder & chairman for Current Media, LLC, and is the chairman for the Climate Reality Project.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Climate Reality Project, and Brookings Institution (think tank).

George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Joel Z. Hyatt was a co-founder & CEO for Current Media, LLC, and is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank).

Teresa Heinz Kerry is an honorary trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), and married to John F. Kerry.

John F. Kerry is married to Teresa Heinz Kerry, and the secretary at the secretary for the U.S. Department of State for the Barack Obama administration.

Keystone XL pipeline requires approval from the U.S. Department of State.

TransCanada Corporation is the proposed builder for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Susan E. Rice is a stockholder in the TransCanada Corporation, the White House national security adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution (think tank).