Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 12, 2015

Keystone XL Pipeline debate involves oil, safety, energy policy and – mainly – politics

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1.gifCan you spot news about current gasoline prices? What do local drivers pay now?

2.gifRead another story about the environment or fuel and share facts you learn.

3.gifNow look for coverage of any other U.S. policy debate and list a few points from each side.

Prepare to see news about a proposed project extension called the Keystone XL Pipeline, a huge, costly and controversial way to transport oil down from Canada to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico offshore from Texas. The House of Representatives voted Friday to authorize the expanded project through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. A Senate vote is expected soon.

President Obama says a decision is up to his executive branch of government because it's an international project. He threatens to veto the pending bill if passes the full Congress. Opponents raise environmental concerns, don't want to encourage reliance on oil as a fuel source and say America shouldn't help a Canadian company profit on a project for Canadian oil. Court challenges cite potential risks to wildlife and drinking water in case the underground pipes leak. (The Nebraska Supreme Court last Friday tossed out a lawsuit against the pipeline.)

Many Republicans and other backers see the 1,179-mile Keystone expansion as a source of up to 42,000 construction jobs and a way to reduce reliance on Mideast oil. Republicans earlier said it would help reduce fuel prices, something that's now beside the point because gasoline is at a five-year low. Still, the high-stakes drama is moving toward a Washington showdown after six years of skirmishes. "If President Obama chooses to veto any Keystone XL bill, he will be vetoing job creation, energy production, and common sense," conservative economist Nicolas Loris of the Heritage Foundation wrote last week.

President says: "There's been this tendency to really hype this thing as some magic formula to what ails the U.S. economy, and it's hard to see on paper where exactly they're getting that information from." – Barack Obama, Dec. 19 press conference

Republican says: "The Keystone XL Pipeline is all about jobs, economic growth and national security." – Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.

Democratic senator says: "There will be enough Democratic votes to sustain the president's veto." – Sen. Chuck Schumer, D.N.Y.

Front Page Talking Points is written by Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.