My environmentalist sensibilities have been taxed by this debate over whether to build the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the middle of the United States.

My inclination is to oppose such a thing because, the theory goes, it would emit too many carbon-based pollutants and harm the planet’s climate.

Then comes this government report that says the pipeline’s effect on the climate is negligible.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/02/02/obama_running_out_of_reasons_to_reject_keystone_xl_121434.html

Oh, what to do?

I believe President Obama should rethink his opposition to it and allow its construction.

The report comes from the U.S. State Department, which heretofore had been on the right wing’s hit list of nasty federal agencies. Now State has declared the Keystone project poses no serious environmental threat, which pleases proponents of the pipeline. They contend the project will create jobs and will strengthen U.S. energy policy.

The pipeline would carry oil pulled from western Canada tar sands to Nebraska, where it would then be sent through existing pipelines to the Gulf Coast, where it would be refined. Much of it would be exported abroad. Some of it would be used here at home.

Its job creation potential is huge, which of course is what the president wants. It also brings those vast tar sands reserves into play, relieving North America of the need to import oil from faraway nations, such as those in the volatile and explosive Middle East.

Is it a win-win deal? Not just yet. But it’s getting closer to becoming one, based on the State Department’s assessment of minimal environmental impact.