Indecision over Keystone XL Offends Canada

October 19, 2015

Leader & Times

The below article was submitted to Leader & Times by Lt. Colonel Dennis Freytes USA (Ret.), the Florida state co-chair of Vets4Energy.

President Obama's final decision on Keystone XL is shrouded in mystery.

Some say the president is close to making a call. David Wilkins, the former ambassador to Canada suggested the administration would wait until after Canada's October elections. In September, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, "In terms of the timing of when a decision would be announced, I just don’t have anything for you."

Whatever the timing, if President Obama decides against Keystone XL, one thing is clear: He will deal a blow to U.S. national security interests and harm relations with Canada. Americans must send a strong message to the president that this is unacceptable.

In February, President Obama vetoed legislation that would have allowed pipeline construction to begin, saying he wanted to wait for a State Department analysis of the project. But that report still isn't out -- and America can't afford to wait any longer.

Building Keystone XL is a crucial step to achieving North American energy independence. The pipeline would transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada and U.S. oil fields to the Gulf of Mexico. That would strengthen our relationship with Canada, the United States' biggest trading partner. By 2028, America could fill all of its liquid fuel needs from within North America.

Such independence is vital for U.S. national security.

Every drop of Canadian oil we buy is a drop we aren't importing from hostile countries.
Venezuela - which supplies 9 percent of U.S. oil - has supported the terrorist organization Hezbollah...

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