Activities In Keystone?

Why would Kansas care about what happens with the Keystone XL Pipeline 'national interest' decision?

• I have to do a mock congressional hearing on Monday and while I've already written my paper (my assignment was to represent the state of Kansas) I'm finding myself really conflicted and confused over Kansas's stance on the issue.   On one hand they approved the Keystone pipeline and even gave TransCanada a tax break. They aren't even going to see new construction that might cross over important environmentally sensitive areas.   On the other hand, there are still lots of Kansans who protest the pipeline and complain that it hasn't even given Kansas any significant economic benefits but has posed a ton of risks.   BUT whether or not Keystone XL is going to be built isn't actually going to affect any existing infrastructure there because their leg is totally finished.   So why does Kansas even have a voice in this issue still? They approved the Keystone pipeline vehemently but the Keystone XL won't touch them so why does it matter what the result will be (for Kansas). Keystone and Keystone XL are clearly two different issues.   Right?   The key thing for me is to figure out if Kansas somewhat approves, strongly approves, or does not approve of the pipeline (and why). And in my opinion, I feel like Kansas is just neutral because it won't affect Kansas either way.   Anyone wanna help?

• Answer:

  You say in your background description of your assignment that Kansas "approved the Keystone pipeline vehemently" so I think that answers your basic outer question. However, I think you have the elements of a broader discussion of the local politics in your recognition that Kansas residents are not a monolithic block of opinion and some feel strongly the opposite. Chances are many don't really get too excited by the whole issue or are simply uncertain so they fall in the middle. It is worth explaining this to your audience since many peoples' understanding seems to end with the simplified presentation in the news which likes to frame things as conflicts to engage readers or listeners. You have more to tell because things are never that simple and you seem to recognize it. Try to mine the kansas public opinion Google search in 3. below to tease out more of the actual breakdown in public opinion there and consider comparing it to the breakdown in other states and the US as a whole to put Kansas opinioin in perspective. 1. http://keystone-xl.com/about/the-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline-project/ 2. http://harvardmagazine.com/2013/11/the-keystone-xl-pipeline 3. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=active&q=kansas+public+opinion+survey+keystone+pipeline - kansas public opinion survey keystone pipeline