Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/598320
ByJoshLederman The Associated Press WASHINGTON Ending a seven-year political saga, President Barack Obama killed the proposed Key- stone XL pipeline on Friday, declaring it would have un- dercut U.S. efforts to clinch a global climate change deal at the center of his en- vironmental legacy. Obama's decision marked an unambiguous victory for environmental activ- ists who spent years de- nouncing the pipeline, lob- bying the administration and even chaining them- selves to tractors to make their point about the threat posed by dirty fossil fuels. It also places the president and fellow Democrats in di- rect confrontation with Re- publicans and energy advo- cates heading into the 2016 presidential election. The president, announc- inghisdecisionattheWhite House, said he agreed with a State Department conclu- sion that Keystone wouldn't advance U.S. national in- terests. He lamented that both political parties had "overinflated" Keystone into a proxy battle for cli- mate change but glossed over his own role in allow- ing the controversy to drag out over several national elections. "This pipeline would nei- ther be a silver bullet for the economy, as was prom- ised by some, nor the ex- press lane to climate di- saster proclaimed by oth- ers," he said. Although Obama in 2013 said his litmus test for Key- stone would be whether it increased U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, his final de- cision appeared based on other factors. He didn't broach that topic in his re- marks, and State Depart- ment officials said they'd determined Keystone wouldn't significantly af- fect carbon pollution levels. Instead, the adminis- tration cited the "broad perception" that Keystone would carry "dirty" oil, and suggested approval would raise questions abroad about whether the U.S. was serious about climate change. "Frankly, approving this project would have under- cut that global leadership," the president said. Obama will travel to Paris at the end of the month for talks on a global climate agreement, which the president hopes will be the crowning jewel for his environmental legacy. Killing the pipeline allows Obama to claim aggres- sive action, strengthening his hand as world leaders gather in France. Though environmen- tal groups hailed Friday as a "day of celebration," Obama's decision was un- likely to be the last word for Keystone XL. TransCanada, the com- pany behind the proposal, said it remained "absolutely committed" to building the project and was considering filing a new application for permits. The company has previously raised the possi- bility of suing the U.S. to re- coup the more than $2 bil- lion it says it has already spent on development. "Today, misplaced sym- bolism was chosen over merit and science. Rhetoric won out over reason," said TransCanada CEO Russ Girling. His criticism was echoed by Republicans in- cluding House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said Obama had rejected tens of thousands of jobs while railroading Congress. "This decision isn't sur- prising, but it is sickening," Ryan said. Already, the issue has spilled over into the presi- dential race. The Republi- can field is unanimous in support of Keystone, while the Democratic candidates are all opposed — including Hillary Clinton, who over- saw the early part of the federal review as Obama's first-term secretary of state. TransCanada first ap- plied for Keystone permits 2,604 days ago in Septem- ber 2008 — shortly before Obama was elected. As en- visioned, Keystone would snake from Canada's tar sands through Montana, South Dakota and Ne- braska, then connect with existing pipelines to carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day to spe- cialized refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast. VICTORY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS Obama quashes Keystone XL in bid to boost climate leverage SUSANWALSH—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS President Barack Obama pauses while making a statement on the Keystone Pipeline, on Friday in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Published by The Daily News with great appreciation for the support of local businesses! Afterjust3weeksinbusinessIhavegained multiple new clients directly from the Business Builder ads run in our local paper. With a constant flow of "I saw your ad" asking me for more information about what I do. Thank you Daily News for helping my business grow. Appreciate it Gayla, TheresaWood 40 Chestnut Avenue Red Bluff 530-330-1096 BRING BALANCE TO YOUR BODY Bring balance to your LIFE TABATA BOOTCAMP 6:30am, 7:00am, 5:30pm $100 8 weeks. 40 Chestnut Ave., Red Bluff 530-330-1096 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM | NEWS | 3 B