Pipe dreams: Harper’s grand strategy takes a tumble (xpost frm FA)

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/04/14/pipe-dreams-harpers-grand-strategy-takes-a-tumble/



Pipe dreams: Harper’s grand strategy takes a tumble
By Tasha Kheiriddin | Apr 14, 2014 8:59 pm

Oil is not well for supporters of Canadian pipeline projects. North and south of the border this past week, lawmakers and citizens gave pipelines the cold shoulder, threatening to derail plans central to the expansion of western business interests — and the federal Conservative party’s hold on power.

First, on April 10, a group of eleven U.S. Democratic senators sent President Barack Obama a letter requesting a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline by May 31. As they point out, “… this is a process that has gone on well past five years, has involved two applications, five federal reviews, multiple open comment periods, and numerous opportunities for consultation and comment … Canadian crude will help replace heavy crude imports from unstable and unfriendly countries like Venezuela.” The letter concludes by asking that Obama find “that the Keystone XL Pipeline is in the national interest.”

The response from Washington D.C.? A smackdown. Here’s what White House Press Secretary Jay Carney had to say: “Our position on that process hasn’t changed, which is it needs to run its appropriate course without interference from the White House or Congress. When there’s a decision to be announced, it will be announced.”

Ouch. This, despite the fact that five of the eleven signatories are in danger of losing their seats in the 2014 mid-term elections — and the Republicans only need six seats to regain control of the Senate.