奥巴马下令加速输油管兴建计划一托福阅读机经背景.docx

智课网TOEFL备考资料奥巴马下令加速输油管兴建计划一托福阅读机经背景 President Barack Obama has ordered steps to speed up the expansion of oil pipeline projects in the United States, including a portion of the planned Keystone pipeline. The president spoke as he concluded a two-day trip to Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio and Oklahoma - highlighting his energy policies amid national concern about high gasoline prices. 奥巴马总统下令加速在美国本土扩建输油管的计划，包括基斯顿输油管的一部分。奥巴马结束在内华达、新墨西哥、俄亥俄和奥克拉荷马四个州为期两天的访问后，在全美国关切油价高涨之际发表谈话，强调他的能源政策。 For Obamas latest remarks on his so-called all-of-the-above energy policy that includes traditional and alternative fuels, the White House chose Cushing, Oklahoma, and a backdrop of huge oil pipes awaiting installation. 白宫选择了奥克拉荷马州库欣市作为奥巴马总统发表谈话的地点。他提到“重中之重”的能源政策，包括传统和替代性燃料等问题。在当地还有一个等待兴建的基斯顿大型输油管计划。 Cushing is the starting point for the 780-kilometer southern half of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that is to carry oil from tar sand fields in western Canada to U.S. refineries along the Gulf of Mexico. 库欣是这条设计中长达780公里输油管南半部的起点。这条输油管将从加拿大西部沙漠产地输送石油到美国的墨西哥湾一带的炼油厂。 Obama announced Thursday that the White House has directed federal government agencies to speed up reviews of pipeline projects related to the southern section. 奥巴马总统星期四宣布，白宫已经指示相关的联邦机构加速审查与输油管计划中和南方有关的部分。 Today, I am directing my administration to cut through the red tape, break through the bureaucratic hurdles, and make this project a priority. To go ahead and get it done, he said. 他说：“我今天指示了我的政府部门减少审议中的烦琐细节，突破官僚障碍，将这项计划列为优先项目，向前推进完成。” The White House order also applies to other pipeline infrastructure projects across the country. Trans-Canada, the company building the Keystone XL pipeline, intends to complete the Oklahoma to Gulf of Mexico section next year. 白宫的指令也适用于全美国其它输油管建设计划。负责建设这条输油管的“横贯加拿大公司”希望明年完成从奥克拉荷马到墨西哥湾的部分。 The pipeline has been caught up in election year politics. Obama ordered that the northern portion be subject to further review amid environmental concerns. 这条输油管的兴建受制于大选年的政治因素。奥巴马总统下令，输油管的北方部分应等候有关环保问题的评估。 Republican presidential contenders say the president is suppressing domestic oil and gas production, and encouraging high gas prices. 争取共和党总统侯选人的参选人都说，奥巴马压制了国内天然气和石油的生产，造成油价飞涨。 Former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney criticized Obamas policies at a recent campaign rally in North Dakota. 前麻萨诸塞州长总统参选人罗姆尼最近在北达科他州的一次聚会中，批评奥巴马总统说： He Obama instead has tried to slow the growth of oil and gas production in this country, and coal production in this country, said Romney. “奥巴马总统反而让石油和天然气产量的增长迟慢，也让煤炭生产迟缓下来。” On Thursday, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, told reporters that Obamas remarks in Oklahoma were driven by election year politics. 美国联邦众议院议长贝纳星期四对记者说，奥巴马总统在奥克拉荷马州的谈话是出于今年是选举年的政治因素。 The president is down here in Oklahoma, taking credit for a part of the pipeline that is going to go through the normal process. It has already gotten its approvals. And this idea that the president is going to expedite this will have no impact on the construction of this pipeline, Boehner said. 他说：“奥巴马总统在这里为输油管部分的正常兴工过程而自我邀功，这条输油管早已得到批准，总统催促进程的想法对输油管的兴建不会发生什么作用。” In Oklahoma, Obama struck back at critics who say he has not done enough to encourage U.S. oil production. 奥巴马总统在奥克拉荷马对批评他在鼓励美国石油生产方面做得还不够的说法作出回应。 Anybody who suggests that somehow we are suppressing domestic oil production isnt paying attention. They are not paying attention, said Obama. 奥巴马说：“任何说我们压制国内石油生产的人都不注意石油生产的问题，他们都不会注意这个问题。” When he speaks about energy, the president underscores the importance of alternative and clean sources, such as ethanol and wind power, and greater automobile fuel efficiency to reduce Americas dependence on imported oil. In Oklahoma, he said gasoline prices are determined by a global oil market influenced by events including tensions in the Middle East, including those involving Iran. The president is expected to increase the frequency of such cross-country trips, emphasizing what he says are policies that are effective in helping the U.S. eco