Where's the XL going?

What is the status of the XL Pipeline? Simple, TransCanada started construction of the Southern Leg of the pipeline this week, having received approval from the Federal Government in July, which leads from Oklahoma to Texas and will initially be used to reduce the congestion of oil reserves in the region, but will be part of the approved international pathway once the State Department approves the entire program.

Will they approve it... the safe bet is yes, after all State approved the last version, it was the President...when challenged by Environmentalists...who delayed approval for " ...more review." This pipeline is a done deal no matter who is in the White House, the politics of jobs and oil is just too powerful to ignore. We know that America wants and needs oil, and that in the short term oil is still a key to energy efficiency, especially on the roads. And while the Obama Administration wants Alternative and Clean Energy (if there is a difference) to move forward, the realist knows that Oil is needed as the primary fuel for our vehicles for the next ten or more years. The real issue with the path of the XL Pipeline is the threat to the underlying aquifers that could be damaged when the pipeline leaks, and not whether or not we are going to build it. 

Let's face it, either it comes to Texas, or it goes to China...those oil reserves are going to be pumped no matter what, so its up to us to determine where it goes, and both Democrats and Republicans want it to 'come home'.

The XL Pipeline is part of our future, so we need to ensure that it is as safe as possible.

The next question I would ask is "Do the Republicans want Alternative and Clean Energy?" That one is also a political beast. The funding for Republicans is slick with oil. The Koch brothers are one example... they are fighting the EPA and are not supporting the use of Clean technologies. Others like Exxon/Mobile are not on board with Alternatives either...unlike BP and Shell who are building Wind and Solar projects, Exxon is still focusing on Oil and Natural Gas...though they are researching Biomass solutions which may prove a solution in their own right. The point here...pre-Obama Administrations tended to be Oil-Babies... and it is looking like Romney/Ryan will be taking the same path if they get the chance.

What do you think... Oil and Gas...Alternatives... or both?