You choose: 100,000 jobs or taller grass

Three "conservation" groups have sued to stop any preparatory work for the Keystone XL Pipeline that is to be built by operator TransCanada. The pipeline has not yet received final approval from the government, but TransCanada has been allowed to "prepare" the route according to these three groups. The suit seeks to enjoin any further work from proceeding.

I think it is worth pointing out that "preparing" the route does not involve digging up any of the earth. It consists of mowing the grass and other vegetation in the right of way where the pipeline will go. There are essentially no trees in the part of Nebraska that is at issue, so all that is being cleared are some bushes on the prairie and grass. It is also worth noting that no permit is needed for cutting down bushes or mowing grass on land in this part of the country. Further, if the pipeline is denied approval, the begetation will grow back in the right of way in a few months next spring. Nevertheless, the "conservation" groups are seeking the court order to stop this work since no approval for the entire pipeline has yet been issued.

The truth is that the only effect of the suit is to slow down progress on the pipeline. The pipeline, of course, will create about 100,000 jobs in the USA. But some "conservation" groups cannot abide anything that results in a large supply of oil or any other fossil fuel in the USA. These groups should be seen for what they truly are: not conservationists, but Luddites.