An editorial from The Inter-Mountain
ELKINS, W.Va. — U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., often is in demand for weekend interview programs. That is because he is plain spoken, uses common sense to analyze policy questions, and is not afraid to speak the truth – regardless of whether Republicans or fellow Democrats, even President Barack Obama, like it.
With that background, it came as no surprise that Manchin made the Keystone XL Pipeline issue crystal clear during a Sunday interview.
Americans need oil that would be brought here from Canada through the pipeline, Manchin noted. It would add enormously to our energy security. Anyone doubting the importance of that should look at the headlines about the peril faced by Ukraine.
Some of the Canadian shale oil the pipeline could carry will be transported here anyway, by truck and train. As Manchin pointed out, environmentalists who worry about oil spills would do well to consider the fact a pipeline is a much safer means than trucks or trains to carry oil.
But if the Obama administration will not approve the pipeline, much of the Canadian oil may be sold to other countries, such as China. It makes no sense for the U.S. to forgo a cheap, reliable route to energy security while allowing other nations to benefit from it.
Finally, Manchin put his finger on the problem…
