Hold it for a minute there, Keystone XL

You've probably already heard that the planned Keystone XL pipeline, which would have shuttled goopy tar sands oil from Canada down across the pretty much the entire US to sooty refineries in Texas, has been shelved for the nonce by Barack Obama pending a thorough review.

Why the thorough review wasn't particularly thorough in the first place is a valid question and one that will hopefully be explored in excruciating detail over the coming days and months.

Meanwhile, the decision has been met with predictable reactions from opposing quarters. GOP pols have been avidly tweeting about the "job-killing" aspects of the review (Which specific jobs are they talking about? Soft-spoken cloth-wielders to wipe ducks after spills? Wranglers tasked with relocating endangered species one by one? Asthma physicians?), and claiming not building the pipeline jeopardizes American "oil security" (there is no such thing. In fact, quite the opposite) while environmental groups are of course applauding, which they well should.

Here's how a few of them weigh in:

National Wildlife Federation:

The Obama Administration today announced they would redo an environmental assessment of the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline.

Larry Schweiger, NWF president and CEO said:

“This do-over is likely a lethal blow. The project won’t be able to stand the scrutiny because Americans now understand that it will increase our addiction to dirty, expensive tar sands oil for decades.

“The Keystone XL pipeline was the wrong project in the wrong place. You can change the route, but it is still the wrong project at a time when we need investments in clean energy alternatives that don’t spill, don’t pollute, and don’t run out.

“Over the last several months, a groundswell of opposition sunk this project. Not since the first Earth Day have I seen so much energy directed toward conserving the environment for our children. This is a great moment for the thousands of Americans who have stood up to this project, from town halls to the White House.”

 

Sierra Club:

Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, issued the following statement:

“The mere fact that the State Department is slowing down and taking a look at the dirty Keystone XL tar sands pipeline is hugely encouraging. We commend President Obama for listening to the American people and putting the brakes on what would have been a disaster for millions of Americans who want clean air, clean water and good health for their families.

“The Sierra Club is confident that when the State Dept. evaluates the true costs of this dirty project – threats to water supplies and ecologically sensitive areas, destruction of the boreal forest, dangerous carbon emissions, unsafe pipelines, and increased cancer and respiratory illnesses in communities like Port Arthur and Houston, Texas – they will reject this pipeline.

“Today’s announcement is a death knell for the Keystone XL tar sand pipeline and lands a considerable blow to Big Oil, their lobbyists, and their campaign of lies to keep Americans addicted to oil.

“Our continued addiction to oil will only destroy our land, air, water and health while keeping Americans shackled to the gas pump and beholden to Big Oil. That's why it's imperative that we invest in American innovation and 21st Century transportation solutions like smarter, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, electric vehicles and transit to truly achieve energy security and a clean energy economy beyond oil.”

 

NRDC:

Here are statements from Frances Beinecke, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council; and Robert Redford, an NRDC Trustee, following the Obama administration’s announcement of a delay in  the Keystone XL pipeline:

Frances Beinecke:
“President Obama is displaying leadership and courage in putting the interests of the American people before those of Big Oil. He has taken another significant step in the fight against climate change and in our march toward a clean energy future, which will mean healthier lives for all. The president’s decision also means that our property, water and agricultural lands cannot be stripped from us without a fight.”

Robert Redford:
“This is American democracy at its best: a President who listens to the voice of the people and shows the courage to do what's right for the country. Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up to Big Oil. Thank you for standing up for us all.”

And from us at All American Patriots: Rah.