The Security and Sustainability Forum, an environmental sustainability organization that addresses issues such as global climate change, sustainability and security, and adaptation and economic impacts, is conducting a poll on its blog concerning President Obama's denial of the Keystone XL pipeline project application.
According to TransCanada -- the North American energy company that was working in conjunction with the state of Nebraska to move the pipeline project forward -- the project was "poised to put 13,000 Americans to work to construct the pipeline - pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, heavy equipment operators, among other jobs - in addition to 7,000 manufacturing jobs that would be created across the U.S. Additionally, local businesses along the pipeline route will benefit from the 118,000 spin-off jobs Keystone XL will create through increased business for local goods and service providers."
Many Democrats, however, including President Obama, expressed their opposition to the project. Last month, the President made the decision to deny an application for the Keystone XL pipeline project, citing concern for the health and safety of the American people and the environment as reasons for the rejection.
Republicans and other supporters of the project consider the move by Obama to be strictly political and urged the president to put politics aside for the sake of the economy.
As a result, the Security and Sustainability Forum has decided to conduct a poll to find out if readers of its blog agree or disagree with the president's decision.
"Jobs and the economy, as well as global warming, are such hot-button issues right now," said blogger Roberta Seldon. "While Congressional Republicans continued to push for American jobs via the pipeline project, Obama and fellow Democrats said clean energy was a better alternative when it came to job creation."
"I wanted to conduct this poll to see what the American people consider the most pressing issue of the day. I think it will be interesting to see how people vote and whether, when voting, they will take into consideration the impact the pipeline project, and other projects like it, could have on the environment," Seldon added.
Voting began Tuesday, February 14, 2012 and will continue indefinitely. Readers can vote and leave comments on the corresponding blog post entitled "Jobs vs. the Environment: A Look at the Keystone XL Pipeline Project." To cast your vote and share your thoughts and concerns, visit http://securityandsustainabilityforum.org/jobs-vs-the-environment-a-look-at-the-keystone-xl-pipeline-project .
