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Originally Posted by HappyRider
" All the environmental studies are filed along with the records of decision" my foot. How long XL has been "under review" and yet solar and wind farms spring up like dandelions.
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Sorry, but I'm afraid you're just not well informed on this topic. The reason wind farms have been "springing up like dandelions," AFTER thorough environmental reviews, is that in general they are far, far less hazardous to the environment than ANYTHING involving fossil fuels. Even so, not all of the applications for wind turbines are approved, and proposed sites are being turned down for a variety of issues, including being too close to migratory bird routes. This is appropriate, to reduce their impact on bird populations. That's the point of environmental reviews, to look at the entire picture, including long term impacts, and make intelligent decisions that respect the environment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DCforever
Because those projects completed their EAs and there were no issues. XL has major environmental issues.
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Exactly. Tar sand oil is the most polluting of the various forms of crude oil produced, and pipeline breaks and spills are a huge concern, especially since the proposed route was to cross environmentally sensitive lands. Also the amount of toxic waste to be generated at the southern end of the pipeline would be considerable and cause a major disposal issue, as well as placing beleagured and endangered wetlands at even higher risk than they already are.
And now it has come out that this oil is more explosive than usual, which has already caused a number of issues with truck, train and pipeline safety. Already there is a big hue and cry to stop shipping this crude in existing oil truck and tank cars because it is too dangerous.
And since the proposed pipeline would cross a national border, and be approved by the State Department, as well as crossing a number of states along the way, it has to pass a higher level of scrutiny, and more levels of review.
Ultimately the fact that this huge, arguably dangerous project would only generate 60 permanent jobs, according to their filings, and that the main beneficiary of it being approved would be the Koch Brothers, who stand to make hundreds of million$, possibly billions$ more profit if it is approved, has lead the American public to turn against it in large numbers, which has lead to a predictable delay in making any decision.
By contrast, getting approval to site large windfarms in the sparsely populated ranches and fields of the West is a piece of cake, comparatively speaking.
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