Washington Post backs Keystone XL

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Rejecting the planned Keystone XL pipeline from Canada won't reduce global carbon emissions or diminish the chance for oil spills, an editorial argues.

Canadian pipeline TransCanada wants to build the Keystone XL pipeline to carry oil from tar sands projects in Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the southern U.S. coast. Critics point to the potential harm to water aquifers, migratory bird pathways and the corrosive nature of tar sands as reasons to reject the project.

Backers say the project is good for the economy and energy security.

An editorial in The Washington Post argues that "activists have the wrong target."

The Post editorial says it recognizes the dangers from tar sands oil but adds rejecting Keystone XL "won't reduce global carbon emissions or the risk of environmentally destructive spills."

The Canadian government has argued recently that if Washington backs away from the project, it would likely ship its oil to meet Chinese demand. Either way, the Post argues, a tar sands pipeline is likely getting built.

The Post notes that despite good intentions of the critics, producing energy is a "dirty business" that will continue for the foreseeable future.

The New York Times recently published an editorial opposing Keystone XL.