On the recordNovember 16, 2011
In today's Reuters report, ``Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Wednesday urged claimants to the South China Sea not to resort to intimidation to push their cause in the potentially oil-rich waters, an indirect reference to China ahead of a regional leaders' summit.'' Why are we concerned about crude oil in dangerous places of the world? It is because we do not have North American energy security, hence the whole Keystone XL pipeline debate. And we have good news on that front. Two days ago, from Lincoln, Nebraska, another Reuters article says, ``Nebraska and TransCanada agreed on Monday to find a new route for the stalled Keystone XL pipeline that would steer clear of environmentally sensitive lands in the State.'' Why is that important? Energy security, expediting the permitting process, 20,000 new jobs immediately, private capital, Caterpillar mining trucks, Marathon Oil refinery. If you live in the Midwest States of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, this oil goes directly to refineries and that, which decreases our reliance on imported crude oil and makes us safe and secure and it creates jobs. Keystone XL is a no-brainer. This administration needs to get off the dime and move this process. ____________________
