Keystone Quandary

The debate regarding the Keystone project is polarizing in nature. On one side there are the pro-arguments for the economic benefits and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, particular from those countries that use their resources as bargaining chips, to the other extreme that has the no-forces mobilizing their arguments mainly on environmental concerns. The latter’s main focus has been on the risk associated with a rupture in the pipeline. While that is indeed a valid concern, living without risk is impossible. Whatever the task, we go forward in all aspects of life taking precautions whether it is driving a car, crossing the street, eating food etc. While the pipeline is not without risk, like everything else in life, we need to do the best we can to ensure the risk is minimized, if the decision to proceed is made.

Although this is a matter whereby the pro and anti forces will probably never convince the other, we need to have confidence in those entrusted to make the decision that they will do so only after a careful consideration of all the variables. If fear-mongering and skewed statistics are removed from the debate we can hope for a more rational decision-making process. From my perspective, we need to resist the temptation to succumb to those that beat the loudest drum in favour of those that can make the best arguments based on logic and defendable information. Right now, I am straddling the fence on this one.

More background information on the pipeline at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_Pipeline