Renewed Hope for Keystone XL Post Mid-Terms
The election results from last night changed control of the senate to the GOP again. For the first time since 2006, party control of the upper chamber has changed hands. Many bills that could get through the House but stalled in the Senate now have a second chance at passage. The Keystone XL pipeline did not have enough votes in the Senate to override a presidential veto until now. Before last night’s election, at least 57 senators could be counted on to support the pipeline. After last night, the new Senate chamber will have at least 61 votes in favor of the pipeline. This is a clear majority that was needed for the pipeline’s approval.
Keystone XL pipeline election results:
- All 57 seats of those in support of the pipeline were held last night.
- Anti-pipeline Senator Mark Udall of Colorado was defeated.
- Anti-pipeline Senator Jay Rockefeller was defeated.
- Anti-pipeline Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa retired and replaced by a supporter of the pipeline.
- Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota retired and replaced by a stronger supporter of Keystone XL.
Despite the State Department’s positive review of the proposed pipeline earlier this year, President Obama remained opposed. The House remains pro-pipeline and the Senate could have the votes to stop any presidential veto of the Keystone XL pipeline and any other proposed pipelines that would greatly benefit the United States as well as many other countries.
The untapped high-income job growth and energy cost reductions are colossal. Exciting developments are near.
Hopefully lower gas prices as well!
At current gas prices, that’d be just downright greedy!
Agreed though, if we can produce our own energy at a cheaper price than what is offered abroad, it really becomes a question of national economic security vs. environmental conservation.