CWS: Obama Right to Deny Keystone Pipeline Permit

["Lesley Crosson" <LCrosson@churchworldservice.org>]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
Keystone pipeline denial the right decision, says Church World Service
 
WASHINGTON, D.C./NEW YORK – Jan. 18, 2012 --Global humanitarian agency
Church World Service this afternoon applauded President Barack Obama’s
decision today denying a permit to move ahead with the expansion of the
Keystone XL pipeline, the hotly debated 1,700 mile-long project that
would have run from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
Just over a month ago, Church World Service reminded President Obama
that, "America does not follow, it leads."  The reference was to the
role of the United States as a leader in efforts to protect the global
environment from the ravages of man-made climate change.
 
That the President heard that message from CWS Executive Director and
CEO the Rev. John L. McCullough and other environmentally concerned
sectors was evident today when just hours ago President Obama announced
his decision to deny a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. 
 
The controversial project would have been a backward step in the
administration's commitment to investing in clean and renewable energy
sources, said McCullough.  
 
“The president has left the door open for the application for a permit
to be resubmitted--with the requirement that a new route bypass
environmentally sensitive areas,” noted McCullough.
 
"This was a courageous decision by the President, in the face of
immense pressure from corporate and other interests to build the
pipeline.  A project of this size and scope would have an enormous
impact on the quality of the environment and, by extension, the quality
of life for generations of people to come. 
 
"In deciding against moving ahead without further study, President
Obama has exhibited a profound respect for God's creation and our sacred
responsibility to protect the earth we inhabit," said Rev. McCullough.
 
"As a humanitarian organization, CWS and our partners work directly
with people who already have been struggling for years to overcome the
devastating effects of climate change on their lives, especially in
regard to food security.  We cannot make their burden any heavier by
exhibiting a lack of care for this planet.
 
"CWS is pleased to see that the President clearly understands this, and
therefore has decided in favor of the people and the environment. 
 
"We urge congressional leaders to operate in the best interests of the
people by supporting this decision and by promoting alternative energy
projects that would protect human rights and health while creating
jobs."
 
Obama’s decision this afternoon quickly came under attack by opponents
who claim that denying the pipeline would cost tens of thousands of
jobs. The U.S. State Department, however, has estimated that Keystone XL
would produce just 20 permanent, operational jobs in the U.S. and 2,500
to 4,650 temporary jobs overall.
Media Contacts
Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, media@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin - 24/7 - (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net
 
Church World Service
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New York, NY 10115
(212) 870-2061