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Politics & Current Affairs — January 11, 2012

Oil Lobby: Campaign Donations Depend on Keystone Pipeline

A new study is out that shows the influence of the oil and gas lobby over Congress, especially when it comes to approving the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the Gulf.

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What’s the Latest Development?

A new study suggests that lobbying efforts by oil and gas interests have been successful at turning members of Congress in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that would transport petroleum from Canada’s tar sands to be used in the US. “The study, which is due to be published on Wednesday, studied industry contributions to members of the House of Representatives which passed a bill last July that would have forced Obama to speed up approval of the Keystone project.”

What’s the Big Idea?

President Obama stands to make a powerful enemy ahead of the 2013 election if he does not approve the Keystone project by February 21, the deadline for deciding. Last week, the leader of the nation’s largest gas and oil lobby said Obama would face “huge political consequences” were the pipeline not approved. Obama delayed approval of the pipeline because the nation’s largest aquifer laid along its path. While Canada is eager to sell its new oil resources, climate scientists warn opening the tar sands is an environmental gamble.

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