The authorization of the dirty Keystone XL pipeline passed the House last week and is being debated on the Senate floor right now. Proponents of this dirty and dangerous pipeline are furiously trying to sway a few more votes.

We need your help. No amount of debate can change the fact that Keystone XL is a total disaster for the environment. We can’t let this pass without a fight.

You can send an email to your Senator. Also visit us here:

http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/

Thank you, Gene Karpinski, LCV

Tar sands themselves are more toxic and more difficult to clean up to begin with. Areas of extraction are subjected to utter devastation.

And while North Dakota tar sands oil is also to be transported through KXL, TransCanada is moving their oil for export. Supporters want the same option for US oil. How does that increase our energy independence?

West Virginia’s 2nd most valuable resource is its beautiful mountains (after its people). Extraction of underground resources has taken a toll on that asset for far too long.
Coal, oil, and gas extraction threatens to destroy our beautiful state; its mountains, waters, forests, culture.

Instead of continuing to base WV’s economy on destructive ventures that are doomed to failure in this century, look forward and develop growing economic ventures that avail themselves of WV, and Appalachia’s more readily available assets – scenery, waterways and people.

Please reconsider your position on the Keystone XL pipeline issue! The costs to the USA outweigh the benefits, in my opinion. Have you considered all the risks and costs?

Also, consider all the natural gas pipelines in and thru WV already here and all the new ones being proposed. There is no critical need to justify taking private land.

Fracking is too widespread and will increase. This will only cause sickness for all of WV. Deadly chemicals will be allowed to seep through the ground water and continue to pollute our beautiful state. Out of State extreme extraction industries have been allowed to do this for the last 20 years or more.

Are you going to continue to pretend to want a clean State?

An idea must first come to the politician, then must have enough weight to rate a portion of his time. Factors which give weight are those that will allow the politician to continue in office or rise to a higher office. (Or increase his/her personal fortune.)

Much skill is needed to avoid the pitfalls of political life by the right wording and gesture. The necessity of raising funds for advertising is a harassment for as long as the individual aspires to continue. The facts, as we normally think of them, have a low priority in an electoral system. It’s all about pleasing people who will help you continue or rise in your career.

I sincerely hope you will reconsider your position related to this issue. Consider these reasons:

1.Why in the world would we consider granting the right of eminent domain to the Keystone XL pipeline. This is a land grab to a foreign country? We can be good partners with our nearby neighbor without doing this. It should not be legal anyway because it is not a “critical need” issue for our country.

2. Do you really want to keep natural gas and coal at the center of energy policy when we look at the desecration of our country that continues to be happening?

3. It won’t create thousands of jobs right here at home and you know it.

4. And 50 jobs estimated when it is in operation?

5. The problems with extraction, spills, leaks, fires, and explosions give rise to methane and carbon dioxide emissions.

These reasons make voting against this a non-brainer alone. Please do vote against this bill. Voting in the affirmative for this is not in the best interest of West Virginia.

In addition, the statements as noted in the Dominion Post editorial yesterday pretty much sum up the other reasons that make the need to vote against this paramount.

Sincerely, Sue Miles, Morgantown, WV