The House passed H.R. 3, a bill waiving permit requirements for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline and passed H.R. 1911, a bill that could raise interest rates for college students while tying their rates to the market. Links to Information in this Episode: Music: We've Got Balls by Robin and the Giant (downloaded from Music Alley) Congressional Dish summary of H.R. 3, the Keystone XL bill. James Hansen's warning about Keystone XL's effect on the climate. Refineries in Texas are hunting for business. Keystone XL route from Canada to Texas Canadians don't want tar sands pipelines running through their land. [caption id="attachment_577" align="aligncenter" width="758"] Bitumen is not oil; it's tar and is sticky like peanut butter.[/caption] 2010 tar sands spill in Kalamazoo, Michigan isn't clean yet. EPA photos from the Kalamazoo spill [caption id="attachment_578" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tar sands oil sinks near Kalamazoo, Michigan: August 1, 2010. Source: EPA[/caption] Keystone XL will go over the Ogallala Aquifer EPA photo gallery from the tar sands spill in Mayflower, Arkansas [caption id="attachment_580" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tar sands oil next to a home in Mayflower, Arkansas. Source: EPA[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_581" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tar sands oil flows onto a residential street in Mayflower, Arkansas. Source: EPA[/caption] [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Another river of tar sands oil in Mayflower, Arkansas.[/caption]   Tar sands oil is exempt from the oil spill fund [caption id="attachment_582" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The pipe that burst in Mayflower, Arkansas was 20 inches in diameter; Keystone XL will be 36 inches in diameter.[/caption] Tar sands energy will make climate change worse James Hansen, NASA climatologist, NYT Op-Ed "Game Over For the Climate" [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="464"] Look how big these earth movers are! Takes a lot of carbon to operate these beasts.[/caption] State Department review of the Keystone XL pipeline EPA comment saying the State Department review isn't good enough Rail transport is not a good option for Canadian tar sands. Keystone XL jobs are mostly temporary Keystone XL probably won't lower gas prices Keystone XL will not stop U.S. imports of Middle Eastern oil Oil industry gave Keystone XL cheerleaders in the House a LOT of money Americans are not paying attention to Keystone XL Music: All Hail to the Market by Alun Parry (found on Music Alley by mevio) Congressional Dish summary of H.R. 1911, the student loan bill. Music: The Veteran by EJ Fortin (found on Music Alley by mevio) Congressional Dish summary of H.R. 258, the bill that prohibits lying about military medals. H.R. 1344, the "Helping Heroes Fly Act" Congressional Dish summary of H.R. 1073, the bill that penalizes chemical attacks and attacks on ships and gives corporations U.S. protection. Representatives Quoted in Order of Appearance Rep. Nick Rahall of West Virginia Rep. John Kline of Minnesota Rep. Tom Petri of Wisconsin Rep. Luke Messer of Indiana