The Pipeline

At the convergence of politics, economics, and environmentalism lies the issue of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The State Department contends that the project will have little impact on climate change but ignores the fragmentation of wildlife, land, and communities that will result. The environmental impact assessment is causing fissures within the Democratic Party and the entire country as environmental activists, organized labor, and job hungry Republican senators struggle against the implications of building the pipeline. 

Do we want dirtier oil, releasing 17% more carbon emissions, or several thousand jobs for Americans? There's a fine line that separates the socio-economic-environmental effects of the Keystone Pipeline. 

The comments on this CNN article are particularly interesting. 

All of us will be watching Obama in the next 90 days. Let's hope he makes the right decision.