WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Senator Joe Manchin spoke out in a hearing of the Energy and
Natural Resources Committee Tuesday, calling the treatment of the proposed
Keystone XL pipeline a "political football."
The proposed pipeline would connect to oil sources in central
Canada to
several refineries across the United States,
eventually leading all the way to the Gulf Coat.
"It makes so much common sense that you want to buy (oil)
off your friends and not your enemies," Senator Manchin said regarding the proposed
oil pipeline, which would span over 2,000 miles across the United
States.
Critics of the proposed pipeline have expressed concerns over
the environmental risks posed by locating such a pipeline over fragile wetland
ecosystems and large fresh water reserves necessary for human consumption and
agriculture.
Proponents of the pipeline cite America's
increasing need for greater supplies of oil, and the relatively comfortable
political relationship between Canada
and the U.S. as
compared to other major oil producers.
Furthermore, argue those who favor the pipeline, such a
massive construction project would offer a significant amount of jobs to
America's seemingly stagnant economy – estimates as high as 20,000 or more new
jobs have been cited by industry experts.
In his State of the Union address on January 18, President
Obama publicly rejected the application to construct the pipeline, stating that
the proposed deadline did not allow enough time to fully assess the potential
risks and benefits of the construction.
In a press release issued by Manchin Tuesday, the Senator
cited expert testimony stating that the Canadian oil sands – the source of oil
that would be transported through the Keystone XL pipeline – would be developed
regardless of the pipeline's construction, as a reason that it was necessary to
make the energy resources and jobs available to American consumers.
Manchin and 43 other Senators have announced plans to cosponsor
a bill which would grant congressional approval for the construction of the
Keystone XL pipeline.
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