Each of the State Department’s four reviews of the Keystone XL pipeline – during the more than four years the project has been under consideration – focused primarily on the Keystone XL’s impacts on the environment: air, ground and surface water, wetlands, vegetation, wildlife and more. State went beyond the Keystone XL itself, evaluating the environmental impact of oil sands crude that would be delivered through it – as well as the impacts on Canada.

Bottom line: Each review came to the same conclusion – the Keystone XL’s construction and operation will not significantly impact the environment. From the most recent State assessment, issued in March:

The analyses of potential impacts associated with construction and normal operation of the proposed Project suggest that there would... more »

Take a look at the map below, one we’ve used before to show the vastness of America’s offshore oil and natural gas reserves – the overwhelming majority of which (in red) that’s off-limits for development.

That should be changed – and could be changed with the right policies in Washington. Legislation introduced today in Congress to allow drilling off Virginia’s coast is a step in that right direction. The bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia would require the Interior Department to sell at least one offshore lease for oil and natural gas development there, mandating that a portion of any federal revenue be shared with the commonwealth.

Access to areas offshore and onshore is vital to the kind of expanded domestic oil and natural gas production needed to make the Un... more »

CNN Money – America’s Air is Getting Cleaner and Less Costly

Increased natural gas production in the U.S. will be a huge driver in improving air quality, writes CNN Money in a report about improving air quality in the U.S. Also notable: In 2012, for the first time ever, natural gas generated as much electricity as coal, and with energy production surging, this trend is likely to continue.

Fuel Fix Blog – 'Frac Daddy’ to Represent Oil Field Workers in Kentucky Derby Run

Owners Carter Stewart and Ken Schlenker say they named Derby entrant “Frac Daddy” as a nod to their energy industry occupations – and hydraulic fracturing. “[We] consider this horse a tribute to the oilfield workers of America,” Stewart says.

The Weekly Standard – The Fractured Left

In a guest article, University... more »

The Keystone XL pipeline is squarely in President Obama’s court. He should approve the full project – for the jobs, economic lift and strengthened energy security this shovel-ready project would provide for our country. (Photo below by Joe Wertz/StateImpact Oklahoma)

There’s no good reason to continue blocking the Keystone XL. Concerns about the environment? Answered. The State Department’s recent review:

The analyses of potential impacts associated with construction and normal operation of the proposed Project suggest that there would be no significant impacts to most resources along the proposed Project route …

Note that State’s favorable environmental assessment includes the pipeline’s operation. It, too, will be safe, as API underscored in its official comments on State’... more »

Let’s recap the economic reasons for construction of the full Keystone XL pipeline project, which has been waiting on the president’s approval for more than four years. According to the State Department’s most recent review Keystone XL would:

• Create 42,100 average annual jobs across the United States over its one- to two-year construction period.
• Generate $2.05 billion in employment earnings.
• Result in $3.3 billion in direct spending on construction and materials.
• Produce $65 million in short-term revenues for government from sales and use taxes in states that levy them.

Considering the plight of construction workers in this country the past few years, suffering double-digit unemployment, those are handsome numbers indeed. They suggest an even greater boost that would... more »