As the State Department nears a decision on whether or not to
approve the Keystone XL pipeline, the media is exaggerating its
economic benefits and downplaying environmental risks to
advocate for the project. Here, Media Matters takes on five of
the prevailing media myths about Keystone XL. - Would Keystone
XL contribute to climate change? - Does the new pipeline route
resolve local environmental concerns? - How would the pipeline
impact U.S. energy security? - How many jobs would building the
pipeline create? - Would Keystone XL affect gasoline prices? - A
Washington Post editorial argued that concerns about the climate
impact of the pipeline are irrelevant because "Supply would make
it to demand, one way or another." [Washington Post, 1/23/13] -
Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer said it is "ridiculous"
to think that "if you don't build the pipeline [the oil] will
stay in the ground," adding: "Canada's not going to leave it in
the ground so it's not going to have any effect on the climate."
[Fox News,