The GOP/TP didn't care about environmental studies or that a pipeline route has not even been determined yet ~ they wanted an answer on their timetable ~ and this is the answer they got ~ seriously, the GOP/TP behavior reminds me of obnoxious, bratty children ~ FTR, Obama did not nix the Keystone pipeline entirely ~ TransCanada is welcome to submit a new proposal when a route has been determined and appropriate environmental studies completed ~ emphasis/bolding below is mine ~ Sooz

January 18, 2012 1:00 PM
Obama admin nixes Keystone pipeline
By Steve Benen

The Keystone XL oil pipeline has become a major source of partisan wrangling. The project would stretch from Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the Gulf Coast of Texas, posing major environmental risks that made the pipeline deeply controversial.

As of today, the Obama administration has scuttled the pipeline.

Republicans, not surprisingly, are outraged, and plan to invest a fair amount of time and energy into complaining about the administration's decision.

But let's not forget the timeline of events here — and the direct role Republicans played in making today's announcement happen.

In November, with administration officials exploring the advantages and disadvantages of the Keystone XL pipeline, they announced that a final decision would require more time and analysis. In particular, agencies wanted to study potential alternate routes that would steer clear of sensitive habitats and water supplies.

Not good enough, Republicans said. As part of the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut, GOP officials demanded an expedited decision on the project. “Forget the studies,â€

Score one for "We the people".
Obama is finally pushing back. Good for him.

The Harper government (as opposed to the CANADIAN government) is already railroading the BC native people into accepting a pipeline to the west coast to ship the tarsands goo to China. They're claiming that opponents to the pipeline are being financed by American environmental activist groups.