More Keystone XL news. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Idle · #1 02-19-2014, 05:27 PM

Looks like it is back to square one in Nebraska for the XL pipeline. It appears the lawmakers there got tired of some members dragging their feet over this deal so they voted to give the power to approve the line's route to the Governor who then decided the route was just dandy the way it was.

Then, after dithering for two years over this, the Governor asked Obama to OK the route with-in 30 days, to which Obama said there are laws covering this sort of thing and he intended to follow them.

Now some Hippie Judge has decided that just because what the lawmakers did in Nebraska did not line up with the Nebraska Constitution the whole law was unconstitutional. Who does this guy think he is? A Judge?

For your further reading enjoyment:

Judge throws out Nebraska pipeline law, complicating Keystone XL plans « Watchdog.org

rscurtis · #2 02-19-2014, 05:39 PM

Obama following laws, when did that start?

Idle · #3 02-19-2014, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscurtis

Obama following laws, when did that start?

Perhaps when he told the Governor that the legal process would be followed in this case and that unlike some that would want to make it up as they go along this would be done according to the law.

I think that is called standing up for what is right and not bending to pressure.

Idle · #4 02-19-2014, 05:51 PM

I may be able to save some folks here a lot of trouble by pointing out that I think the XL line is a great thing and without a doubt the safest way to move this stuff. It will also help the economy of the US by keeping our refineries running which will do wonders for our GDP.

My biggest problem with the entire operation has been the Republicans in Nebraska fighting this line from the beginning. Whine on if you wish about Obama or whatever, but a simple review of the facts will prove to you that the hold up has, and now still is, in Nebraska which is controlled 100% by Republicans.

MS Fowler · #5 02-21-2014, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idle

Perhaps when he told the Governor that the legal process would be followed in this case and that unlike some that would want to make it up as they go along this would be done according to the law.

I think that is called standing up for what is right and not bending to pressure.

If only following laws was a principle he adhered to, and not just a political expedient. ( Same criticism also applies to Bush who failed to enforce the border laws.)

tjts1 · #6 02-19-2014, 05:49 PM

Why is the governor of Nebraska trying to increase our addiction to foreign oil?

Idle · #7 02-19-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

Why is the governor of Nebraska trying to increase our addiction to foreign oil?

The original route of the line went through an aquifer there that in some cases is only a foot or two below the ground. Almost all of Nebraska's fresh water comes from this aquifer and one leak from the line, if it followed the original route, would have destroyed this aquifer for about the next 10,000 years.

There were a lot of folks there that opposed the route because of this. So the Republicans there were caught in a squeeze. Do they support the original route or do they tell TransCanada to come up with a new one that would cost a few million more to build?

TransCanada finally came up with a new route, which took them years to do, and the state then found it had to go through a lot of public comment which would likely mean more delays or another route change. So the law was changed to permit the Gov to approve the route if he saw fit and Hey-Presto! he did!

A lawsuit followed that asked if the lawmakers could make such a law and the Judge ruled they did not. So I guess the original public comments will have to be allowed after all.

My only question is: Will he blame Obama?

Honus · #8 02-20-2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idle

...My only question is: Will he blame Obama?

Didn't you mean to ask how he will blame Obama?

Idle · #9 02-20-2014, 12:11 PM

And in other news we find that since the southern leg of Keystone, which runs from Cushing to the Gulf Coast, has opened Light Crude from Texas and Oklahoma has jumped by $2.75 cents a barrel. If you are a producer in Oklahoma that translates to an increase of $880,000 a day or $321,000,000 a year in extra spending money.

But that is just to the producers, their shareholders and the land owners. For the state of Oklahoma there is $25,696,000 extra in tax dollars a year. Now these numbers are just estimates, but they are close ones.

The reason for this is that oil could get into Cushing, which is the oil hub in the mid-America region, but it could not get out except by tanker truck or by rail.

As weird as it sounds this actually bothers some people here since this is just what Obama said would take place. This is why he cut all the red tape to get the southern leg built. When oil producers laid out the economics to him he decided to put everything he had behind the southern leg of the project. If he had not it would still be under construction.

Note that Obama did not, like the government in Nebraska, cut any corners. Everything was just pushed to the front and given importance. If Nebraska had done the same it is likely the XL would be under construction by now.

Nebraska's new state motto: There is never time to do it right, but there is always time to do it over.

Idle · #10 02-20-2014, 12:12 PM

Extra credit reading:

This Week In Petroleum

tjts1 · #11 02-19-2014, 05:55 PM

Ok then, why are the Republicans in Nebraska trying to increase our dependence on foreign oil?

Botnst · #12 02-19-2014, 11:33 PM

Pipelines? Are you pherking kidding me???? It's a lot safer to transfer petroleum via trucks and trains.

Right?

rscurtis · #13 02-20-2014, 11:06 AM

Statistically it is, even considering the most recent disasters. Ultimately, the free market will prevail. If it doesn't move by pipe, it will go by rail. The order backlog for oil-capable tank cars is 30 months.

hill · #14 02-21-2014, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idle

Looks like it is back to square one in Nebraska for the XL pipeline. It appears the lawmakers there got tired of some members dragging their feet over this deal so they voted to give the power to approve the line's route to the Governor who then decided the route was just dandy the way it was.

Then, after dithering for two years over this, the Governor asked Obama to OK the route with-in 30 days, to which Obama said there are laws covering this sort of thing and he intended to follow them.

Now some Hippie Judge has decided that just because what the lawmakers did in Nebraska did not line up with the Nebraska Constitution the whole law was unconstitutional. Who does this guy think he is? A Judge?
For your further reading enjoyment:

Judge throws out Nebraska pipeline law, complicating Keystone XL plans « Watchdog.org

A hippie Judge in Nebraska? Hell the Governor himself appointed HER.
Gov. Heineman Appoints Jacobsen and Stacy of Lincoln to 3rd Judicial District
Gov. Heineman News: Gov. Heineman Appoints Jacobsen and Stacy of Lincoln to 3rd Judicial District

Idle · #15 02-21-2014, 03:16 PM

I was going for a joke with the hippie judge. It seems that every time a judge rules against a Republican the right comes out ranting about how the judge must be some extreme lefty since that's the only reason anyone could have for opposing anything a Conservative does.

The fact that he appointed her must really be hard for him to take. I remember a Governor in Texas, Clements, had a judge he appointed rule against him on something and I though he was going to go all Hulk on everyone and level the Capitol building.