Keystone XL Pipeline

Keystone XL pipeline

By Keith Kramer

The Keystone XL pipeline is a proposed project to transport oil from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada to Patoka, Illinois. The proposed pipeline would cover nearly 2000 miles that would travel through multiple states and even protected environmental reserves. Although the pipeline would provide numerous jobs and bring in revenue to multiple states. There are tremendous risks involved to the environment. (U.S. Department of State)

TransCanada Corporation proposed pipeline in 2005. According to an independent study by the Perryman group the proposed pipeline would provide an estimated $20 billion in revenue to the United States(the Perryman Group). And although I won't deny that's impressive incentive considering our economic situation, I feel, would be irresponsible to build this pipeline without considering all of the impacts that will have. You also have to remember that the final destination of synthetic crude oil pipeline will be moving will be located in an international zone in the United States, meaning that it will not be generating taxes towards exports.

TransCanada on their website has stated that pipelines are the safest and most economical way to transport oil over long distances and that leaks and spills are extremely uncommon.(TransCanada). I tend to agree with the statement, I know there's a huge pipeline running all the way through the state of Alaska through very environmentally sensitive areas and leaks have been rare. However, the primary line already in Canada has already leaked 12 times In the Alaska pipeline leaks would be devastating to the wildlife, flora and fauna. However, with the Keystone pipeline. There is significant risk to human life. The pipeline would cross the area, including several reservoirs used for drinking water. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, a nonprofit organization that tar sands proposed to be sent through this pipeline are more toxic than regular oil, so a spill from this pipeline would be exponentially more devastating(stopping the Keystone pipeline). (Pullman)

A lot of the argument that has been going on regarding the Keystone pipeline is focused on the potential impact the United States but what is being forgotten is that the extraction of these materials to create this synthetic oil devastating to Canada's boreal forests.(NRDC). That's not something that might happen that something that is happening right now. The question that rings up for me is that with all of the many and varied alternate sources of energy that have come onto the market in the last 20 years.Is this really necessary. The damage that is being done at this time will take hundreds of years to repair and that's assuming it can be repaired.

Based on the information located in this report, and the references that I've cited it really is coming down to money versus environment. Is the risk to the environment worth the amount of money that will potentially be brought into the US economy? In my personal opinion, I have not seen anything that indicates it's worth it. Based on their information from the Perry group, this pipeline would not reduce fuel or power costs within the United States at all. As United States relies primarily on coal power based on that, I do not feel that the Keystone pipeline is a good idea (Wagner)

Pullman, Emma. "The last Keystone pipeline had a record number of leaks." gristlist. 1 september 2011.

U.S. Department of State. keystone xl pipleline map. 31 august 2011.

Wagner, Devin. "A Keystone pipeline pump station is seen Oct. 27 near Freeman." argusleader.com, 19 january 2012.

d'Otreppe, Stephanie.Proposed And Existing TransCanada Pipelines.NPR.NPR.n.d.

NRDC.Tar Sands Pipelines Safety Risks. 15th March 2011. eighth February 2012 <

stopping the Keystone pipeline. 2011. eight February 2012 <

the Perryman Group. The Impact of Developing the Keystone XL.bussiness report. Waco Texas: the Perryman Group, 2010.

TransCanada.protecting environment. 2012. eight February 2012 <