In an ever increasing show of cowardice President Barack Obama has once again avoided making any decision about the fate of the Keystone XL pipeline, instead deciding to delay his verdict until later in the year.
Obama has always promoted himself as a strong supporter of action against climate change and therefore this decision is seen as a ley test as to his real commitment to the environment; however, he is stalling through fear of angering the powerful supporters of the project, now claiming that climate change is in fact just one of a host of priorities that he had promised to address during his second term.
350.org, the leading voice in opposition of project, quite rightly notes that "approving Keystone XL would make a mockery of the commitment he made at the inauguration to take action on climate change."
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As he has constantly pushed the decision date back Obama has found himself with fewer and fewer supporters to hide behind. He initially called a halt to the project last year, claiming the reason to be the opposition from Nebraska and its governor Dave Heineman. But just recently governor Heineman has approved the route, stating that the "construction and operation of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would have minimal environmental impacts in Nebraska."
The Whitehouse now stands one its own with complete power over the fate of the project which has come to symbolise the clash between saving the environment and economic development.
Republicans are clamouring for the approval of the pipeline, correctly stating that "there is no bureaucratic excuse, hurdle or catch President Obama can use to delay this project any further. He and he alone stands in the way of tens of thousands of new jobs and energy security."
By. Charles Kennedy of Oilprice.com
Charles is a writer for Oilprice.com More