The State Department has no major objections to the Keystone XL pipeline. Additionally, the tar sands oil in Canada will be extracted whether or not the pipeline is created.
Due to these facts, this petition proposes the construction of a national high-speed rail system in order to offset resulting carbon emissions from the inevitable use of this oil. This system would also create a vast number of jobs and would benefit the nation for decades to come.
Providing a strong modern infrastructure is a core duty of government. The United States is woefully behind in this regard. It is hurting the economy and is a cause of the slow recovery. A national high-speed rail system is exactly what is necessary and would leave a lasting legacy for this administration.