More from around the web on the new State Department draft analysis of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which, again, proved the economic benefits and lack of negative environmental impacts from the pipeline?  First to the Washington Post:

In its 2,000 pages, the report dismantled the case that nixing the Canadian pipeline must be a priority for anyone concerned about climate change, explaining anew that accepting or rejecting the project won’t make much difference to global emissions, U.S. oil consumption or world oil markets.

And from the Bismarck Tribune:

“After 41/2 half years, and a total of four environmental reviews, the Keystone XL pipeline project is perhaps the most thoroughly studied and long-delayed project of its kind in U.S. history,” [Sen. John] Hoeven said. “The... more »

The Keystone XL pipeline now is four-for-four – that is, four environmental impact assessments by the State Department and four findings that the project wouldn’t have significant impacts. From State’s draft Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) released Friday:

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 …

That conclusion is conditioned on assumptions including: the incorporation of 57 special conditions developed with the help of the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration (which builder TransCanada already has agreed to incorporate in its plan), use of mitigation measures as required by per... more »

A sampling of recent editorial opinion and commentary on the Keystone XL pipeline project:

Nature.com

… regarding the Keystone pipeline, the administration should face down critics of the project, ensure that environmental standards are met and then approve it. … By approving Keystone, Obama can bolster his credibility within industry and among conservatives. The president can also take advantage of rising domestic oil and gas production to defuse concerns over energy security.

Houston Chronicle

President Obama has run out of reasons to block expansion of the Keystone XL Pipeline. With the sign-off by Nebraska's governor on a new route for the pipeline that avoids environmentally sensitive areas in the Cornhusker state, the president should give the project the green light... more »

In the video interview below from this month’s State of American Energy event, the Center for Industrial Progress’ Alex Epstein talks about America’s historic energy opportunity and the way producing more energy, including oil and natural gas, is key to a better environment:

“When we produce more energy that means cleaner water.  That even means cleaner air. It means better health.  … Energy improves the environment. So when we’re thinking about energy there’s nothing to apologize for, nothing to be afraid of. The only thing to be afraid of, the only risk, is in not producing energy.”

Check out the video:

As policymakers consider who will be the primary driver of America’s future energy development and innovation – Washington or the private sector – consider:

• Oil and natural gas supplied 62 percent of the energy America needed in 2011 – and is projected by government to supply nearly 60 percent of U.S. energy demand in 2040.
• The oil and natural gas industry provided $545 billion to the U.S. economy in 2011.
• In just unconventional resources (shale and other tight rock), industry is expected to invest more than $5.1 trillion in cumulative capital expenditures by 2035. The industry could add 1.3 million new jobs in this sector by 2020 for a total of 3 million jobs supported – growing to 3.5 million jobs by 2035.
• Since 2000, the oil and natural gas industry has invested nearl... more »