Company, fish and politics

Any one who was under the impression that the Obama Administration was going to bring some sort of virtue and probity to the Oval Office will need to repent for their foolishness and naiveté. I know, I know, this was going to be the administration that pushed transparency and wouldn't engage in the wanton croneyism of its predecessors. Right.


The environmental group Friends of the Earth secured emails on monday under the Freedom of Information Act that shed light on the ugly game of footsy mthe State Department is playing with the TransCanada Pipeline Company. In July they emailed the State Department that they planned to drop their request to operate the pipeline at pressures allowed in the United States and then reapply for the exception once the project had passed and the political smoke had cleared. Rather than fairly and objectively oversee the implications of this massive project that many environmentalists adamantly oppose, the State Department and EPA act as a hand maiden and facilitator for their lobbyist pals. Oh yes, the top lobbyist from TransCanada in an ex senior staffer for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, Paul Elliott. So much for an end to favoritism.

Trans Canada was given total access to the corridors of power on this project, countless meetings with Assistant Secretaries of State and plenty of inside information no doubt, the environmentalists limited to one single meeting. The 1700 mile long proposed pipeline would carry 700,000 barrels a day from Alberta to the Gulf Coast of Texas. It is said that its construction will result in unacceptable emissions and wreak havoc on pristine ecosystems.

It also points to a quite cozy relationship between Marja Verloop at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and industry groups, cheerleading for them and teaching them how to end around the political process. The Environmental Protection Agency, which is not powered to act on the authorization, even criticized the State Department environmental assessments as inadequate.

The project apparently bores right through the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the great plains' principal water sources. The crude is said to lay in subterranean oil sands and that removal from these areas will result in higher than normal emissions and will destroy forests.

The conduct of those employees of the United States government who are supposed to be acting independently, in our best national interest, is certainly called into question regarding this pipeline. The pipeline may or may not be in our best interest but it certainly seems like the State Department has already made up its mind. This will be an interesting story to follow.