The keystone debate: forget the pipeline, this is about theoilsands - Laserpoint Vinyl Cutter

Oliver sees great economic benefit in the Keystone XL project. "The oilsands, we've been told, can generate $2.3 trillion ineconomic activity over the next 25 years," he says. "If Keystone goes ahead, that would add another $600 billion andhundreds of thousands of jobs can flow from the oilsandsdevelopment." Oliver says the government is continuing to work with industry "toreduce the environmental footprint" of the oilsands, and says thatthe intensity of greenhouse gas emissions has been cut by 30 percent in the past 15 years. Overall emissions have still gone up, of course. But Oliver saysthat these are "not a huge factor globally," representing onlyone/1,000th of global GHG emissions. Cutting Plotter Machine

The jobs debate Environmentalists, mind you, see this differently. "Canadians should be aware of how this project is affecting theirinternational reputation when it comes to the environment," saysAnthony Swift, a policy analyst for the Natural Resources DefenceCouncil in Washington, D.C. "It is certainly creating a kind of black mark on Canada'senvironmental record." Swift said the Canadian government could address that situation byimplementing tighter environmental regulations for the oilsands.But that approach has become bogged down in a back and forthbetween the federal government and Alberta, whose governing partyis in the midst of a leadership race. Meanwhile, Keystone XL is awaiting its most significant seal ofapproval: a U.S. Laserpoint Vinyl Cutter

presidential permit, which is required because theproject crosses an international border. The U.S. State Departmentis reviewing the application by TransCanada and a decision isexpected by the end of the year. "The tea leaves all kind of point to it being approved," saysLeach. But there could be a wild card: the Republican governor ofNebraska. Vinyl Graphics Cutter Manufacturer

Gov. Dave Heineman has urged President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clintonto deny the permit because of concerns over potential pipelinespills and the Ogallala aquifer. It supplies drinking water toabout two million people in Nebraska and seven other states. Oliver says he is not anticipating the permit will be turned down,although if it is, "we would just have to look at other markets,"presumably meaning China.

And Leach says he doesn't really see anything at this point thatwould derail Keystone XL. "I don't think right now the president or the State Department havereally been given something to say here's why I'm turning down thepipeline." What's more, he says, "even if you don't believe the jobs numbers,it's pretty hard for a president to turn that down, coming into anelection year." With files from The Associated Press.