Good to block Keystone pipeline? #tellusatoday

The Senate defeated a bill Tuesday that would have allowed construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

While I'm in favor of the pipeline, one argument is being overblown by proponents: jobs. There will be a few years of a burst in construction-related activity, which creates short-term jobs by skilled workers, mostly. Long term, few direct employees will be required to run the pipeline. Welcome to Business 101. It's a good thing that it will require few people to run it. They call that efficiency.

— Lyle Stavast

There should be no more damage to what we hold precious. Find other energy sources and technologies. Not next year, now! Those who back the pipeline should think of a picture larger than just themselves.

— Jeff Freeman

The pipeline would cut through more America, putting people's health and nature at risk, not to mention what it would do to the global environment in regard to pollution.

We were beginning to see strides in alternative energies and had a chance to lead the world push into that field.

Instead, we started to push this plan, leaving it to other countries to take the lead in the Earth's future.

— Kirk Morgan

We asked our Twitter followers whether how they would have voted on the Keystone pipeline. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

Yes. It would help reduce the emissions from having to transport oil by train.

— @unemployed_good

Vote yes, for jobs and energy independence.

— @wings84

Tar sands oil spills should scare you. Vote no on Keystone XL poisonous chemicals.

— @ProChoiceGramma

Why not? While it's not a long-term job creator, there is more promise in building it than not.

— @charles2447

Letter to the editor:

I was very happy to see the House OK'd the Keystone pipeline bill last week. This project not only would be good for future oil prices, but it would also create jobs in America. When planned with the environment in mind, pipelines are a safer way to transport oil compared with rail cars. The only issue I have with the Keystone pipeline is that the steel used should not be allowed to come from China. A pipeline assembled in America should have steel made in America.

Cole Hegg; Detroit Lakes, Minn.

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