By Matt Tennyson
Last Friday, the House of Representatives passed a bill for the construction of the 1,179-mile-long Keystone Pipeline XL with a 266-153 Republican majority vote.
The bill will move onto the senate next week with sponsors claiming that it has plenty of support to pass, according to Fox News.
The pipeline already exists in several sections, spanning across several U.S. states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, and into Canada.
Phases 1-3A have already been completed (phase 3B is still under construction) with phase 4 (Keystone XL) currently moving through the political arena for approval.
Proponents of the pipeline like Sen. John Barrasso suggest that it will create “42,000 jobs.” They argue that the pipeline will help boost the infrastructure and economy of the U.S.
Others like Sen. Charles E. Schumer, say, “(the pipeline) would create several thousand temporary construction jobs and only 35 permanent jobs.”
Environmental and political activists alike strongly oppose the inception of the extended pipeline arguing that it will result in environmental devastation for us and for future generations.
David Michael Smith from West Linn, Oregon signed a petition against the pipeline via Moveon.org. He argues, “…big oil, big agriculture, big pharma and other industries invested in fossil fuel infrastructure hold the planet hostage for their short-sighted, short-term financial gain.”
One thing is for sure; the inception of this new pipeline will lead to more drilling, more hydraulic-fracturing, and more profits for the oil industry.
Matt Tennyson is a progressive, liberally minded activist, organic farmer, and writer seeking to unite and contribute to the grassroots movement towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.