Of water and Oil

Dec 19, 2011

The way that politicians have spun the Keystone XL pipeline is shameful. Promises concerning job growth and energy security are not only woefully transparent, but dangerous. By promising hollow growth figures, Keystone proponents are garnering support from the very people whose livelihoods and health they are putting at risk.

While the rest of the world is pursuing clean energy solutions, America is turning it's back on alternative technologies and building infrastructure that will take us back in time. The vice president of TransCanada, the company building the pipeline, said himself that the project would result in no more than a few hundred full time jobs. In a broader context, wouldn't it perhaps be more prudent to invest in clean and durable energy solutions? Fossil fuel dependancy, regardless of the resource point of origin, will become increasingly unstable in the future as world reserves continue to decline. Building alternative infrastructure on our own soil that will employ thousands in the years to come as clean energy industries grow and diversify is a much safer investment. The bonus? American children of future generations would be promised a reduction in cancer, asthma and other related health issues.

Congress needs to hear from you. Big oil's collective worth is at one hundred billion dollars this year. Are their profit margins worth our future?