how did the keystone pipeline benefit america

The Keystone Pipeline

Would Create Lower Prices One of the best reasons to seek North American energy independence through the Keystone Pipeline is that it would result in much lower oil prices and provide a significant economic advantage to the United States. An example of this can be seen in Venezuela.

Full Answer

Why to stop the Keystone Pipeline?

The Canadian company behind Keystone XL, TC Energy, operates a pipeline which spilled thousands of gallons of oil in South Dakota in 2017 and North Dakota in 2019. Activists and tribal members say the pipeline endangers water quality, breaks tribal land treaties and pipeline construction brings the threat of human trafficking.

Why shut down Keystone Pipeline?

With temperatures from North Dakota to Northern Alberta far below normal, TC Energy’s Keystone pipeline was temporarily shut down on Jan 4, which affected the oil flow through its Hardisty terminal. Almost all of Alberta was under extreme cold warnings, which was expected to last until the weekend.

Why is the Keystone XL pipeline still so disputed?

Why Is the Keystone XL Pipeline Still So Disputed? The Keystone Pipeline system has been the subject of controversy for years as environmentalists and others have fought to prevent construction and expansion of this oil-delivery network.

Why did the Keystone Pipeline shut down?

The Keystone pipeline has not been shut down. It is still moving hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil every day. All that oil passes right through the US, on its way to Asian markets. What was stopped was the building of the XL extension. The XL extension was slated to be built right over the top of the nations largest fresh water aquifer.

How does the Keystone pipeline benefit the economy?

The Keystone XL pipeline is a 2,700-‐kilometer pipeline that stretches from central Alberta, Canada to the American Gulf Coast. It creates the ability for Canadian oil to reach the United States as well as other international markets with ease. There are numerous benefits that this pipeline creates for Canada.

What are the pros of the Keystone pipeline?

What Are the Pros of the Keystone Pipeline?The Keystone Pipeline can be a major job creation project. ... The Keystone Pipeline can be a major economic contributor. ... It would re-establish the Alberta oil sands sector for Canada. ... It creates a reliable product for Gulf Coast refiners to process.More items...•

Does the U.S. need the Keystone pipeline?

Ramped up domestic oil production and alternative supply routes have lessened the U.S.'s need for the hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil that would have been pumped daily through the now-cancelled Keystone XL pipeline, some industry experts say.

What is bad about Keystone pipeline?

No matter how you look at it, Keystone XL would be bad for wildlife, especially endangered species. Many imperiled species live along the proposed pipeline's path and in areas where tar-sands oil is produced. If the pipeline were built, it would decimate habitat these species rely on.

Why do we need the Keystone XL pipeline?

Why do we need Keystone XL? The U.S. continues to import about 9.1 million barrels of oil a day from 90 countries across the globe. When completed, Keystone XL will play a critical role in connecting the world's third largest oil reserve with the world's largest refining market at the U.S. Gulf Coast.

What are the negatives of the pipeline?

For natural gas pipelines, the greatest risk is associated with fires or explosions caused by ignition of the natural gas, This can cause significant property damage and injuries or death. Additionally, the release of natural gas, primarily methane which is a very potent greenhouse gas, contributes to climate change.

Did we get oil from the Keystone pipeline?

The Keystone Pipeline System is an oil pipeline system in Canada and the United States, commissioned in 2010 and owned by TC Energy and as of 31 March 2020 the Government of Alberta....Keystone Pipeline.Keystone XL Pipeline (Phase 4)ToSteele City, NebraskaGeneral informationTypeCrude oilStatusCancelled9 more rows

Why was the Keystone pipeline stopped?

Keystone XL was halted by owner TC Energy after U.S. President Joe Biden this year revoked a key permit needed for a U.S. stretch of the 1,200-mile project.

Who shut down the Keystone pipeline?

TransCanada shut down a portion of the Keystone XL Pipeline after they "reported a spill of about 187 gallons of crude oil" near the Freeman pump station in Hutchinson County, South Dakota.

Why is the pipeline important?

Pipelines supply the necessary fuel for these daily activities to function and keep our country moving, both physically and economically. Pipelines and the products they carry help provide economic growth for communities across the country.

What is the Keystone pipeline debate?

Controversial Keystone XL Pipeline Is Halted TC Energy suspended construction in January when President Biden revoked a key permit. The controversial project was a major flashpoint in the debate over fossil fuels' role in climate change.

Why do environmentalists oppose the pipeline?

But others, including environmentalists who oppose the pipeline mainly because extracting oil from tar sands releases more greenhouse gases than other methods of harvesting oil, also argue the pipeline will do little or nothing to boost US energy security and will actually lead to higher oil prices in the Midwest.

Who chaired the Keystone XL hearing?

Legislators react to findings. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R) of Kentucky, who chaired two hearings into the Keystone XL, heard positive testimony about the pipeline – as well as contradicting testimony that it would do little or nothing for energy security while raising Midwest oil prices. He still likes the project, however.

How long does it take to approve the pipeline?

That bill would strip the president of authority to block the project and give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 30 days to approve the pipeline. But most of the heated partisan rhetoric over job creation and gasoline prices glosses over ...

Will the TransCanada pipeline increase the price of oil?

In hearings last May and December, TransCanada officials admitted to US legislators that the pipeline will indeed increase the price paid for Canadian oil in the Midwest – but suggested those higher crude oil prices would not necessarily mean higher gasoline prices in that region.

Does the Keystone pipeline need to be built to bring Canadian oil to the US?

Less obvious, however, is the fact that the Keystone XL pipeline is not actually needed to bring all that new Canadian oil to the US – a flow now projected to rise to 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030, according to the same DOE study.

Is Keystone XL a no brainer?

Even so, supporters in Congress continue to call Keystone XL “a no-brainer" from a US energy-security standpoint, also arguing it would benefit consumers by lowering gas prices, too. Keystone XL's “supplies from reliable sources leads to lower costs, thereby putting downward pressure on prices,” one study on TransCanada's website says.

Will the Whitfield pipeline lower gasoline prices?

In an e-mailed statement, Whitfield's press secretary adds that the pipeline “will help lower the price of gasoline by bringing more oil supply to the market” and says the Department of Energy “specifically states that gasoline prices in all connected markets would go down.”.

When did Obama refuse to grant a permit for the Keystone pipeline?

When the Obama administration refused to grant the cross-border permit necessary to build TC Energy’s Keystone XL oil pipeline in November 2015, it struck a blow against polluting powers and acknowledged the consensus on this misguided project from a wide swath of people and organizations. “America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change,” President Obama said. “And, frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership.” The Obama-era decision echoed a seven-year State Department review process with EPA input that concluded the pipeline would fail to serve national interests.

What would happen if Keystone XL was fully realized?

A fully realized Keystone XL would lead to more mining of that “nasty stuff” by accelerating the pace at which it’s produced and transported. (Indeed, Keystone XL was viewed as a necessary ingredient in the oil industry’s plans to triple tar sands production by 2030.)

How much oil would be transported by Keystone XL?

To be precise, it would transport 830,000 barrels of Alber ta tar sands oil per day to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Some 3 million miles of oil and gas pipelines already run through our country. But Keystone XL wouldn’t be your average pipeline, and tar sand oil isn’t your average crude.

Why is Keystone XL being opposed?

Opposition to Keystone XL centers on the devastating environmental consequences of the project. The pipeline has faced years of sustained protests from environmental activists and organizations; Indigenous communities; religious leaders; and the farmers, ranchers, and business owners along its proposed route. One such protest, a historic act of civil disobedience outside the White House in August 2011, resulted in the arrest of more than 1,200 demonstrators. More than 90 leading scientists and economists have opposed the project, in addition to unions and world leaders such as the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former president Jimmy Carter (together, these and other Nobel laureates have written letters against the project). In 2014, more than two million comments urging a rejection of the pipeline were submitted to the State Department during a 30-day public comment period.

When will Keystone XL be cancelled?

January 20, 2021 Melissa Denchak. UPDATE: June 9, 2021: TC Energy announced that it is canceling the controversial Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, putting an end to a fossil fuel project that endangered waterways, communities, and the climate, which President Biden denied a key permit for on his first day in office.

Where is Keystone XL?

The first, a southern leg, has already been completed and runs between Cushing, Oklahoma, and Port Arthur, Texas. Opponents of this project—now called the Gulf Coast Pipeline—say that TC Energy took advantage of legal loopholes to push the pipeline through, securing a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit and dodging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) more rigorous vetting process, which requires public input. The second segment is the currently contested 1,209-mile northern leg—a shortcut of sorts—that would run from Hardisty, Alberta, through Montana and South Dakota to Steele City, Nebraska.

Is Keystone XL pipeline shut down?

Most recently, on October 31, 2019, the Keystone tar sands pipeline was temporarily shut down after a spill in North Dakota of reportedly more than 378,000 gallons. And the risk that Keystone XL will spill has only been heightened: A study published in early 2020, co-authored by TC Energy’s own scientists, found that the anti-corrosion coating on ...

Why is the Keystone pipeline controversial?

Few domestic policy issues have created more controversy than the Keystone XL pipeline. Proponents contend that it would enhance access to Canadian oil, significantly increasing U.S. and North American energy security. Environmentalists, farmers, ranchers and Native American groups along the proposed route have been fighting the pipeline for much of its history, due to the perceived risks of oil spills, its contribution to climate change, and infringements of treaty rights. Because the pipeline would cross the Canadian-U.S. border, construction requires approval by the U.S. State Department, and ultimately the president.

How much money did Alberta invest in the pipeline?

The province of Alberta jump started construction of the pipeline last year with a $1.1 billion investment. Given the amount of money invested in the pipeline, it would be surprising to see the company and Alberta fail to at least try to obtain some form of recourse.

Why was the Montana pipeline halted?

district judge ruled that the state department needed to give further consideration to the pipeline’s potential for environmental damage.

When did Biden sign the executive order for Keystone?

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order revoking Trump’s presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline border crossing. While TC Energy Corporation has suspended work on the project, it has not yet announced what legal options the company will pursue in response to the executive order.

Why is the Keystone pipeline important?

The Keystone Pipeline Would Create Lower Prices. One of the best reasons to seek North American energy independence through the Keystone Pipeline is that it would result in much lower oil prices and provide a significant economic advantage to the United States. An example of this can be seen in Venezuela. Last year the United States imported ...

How would North American energy independence help the US economy?

North American energy independence would also save the US money in terms of actually creating lower prices. The Keystone XL pipeline would significantly increase the supply of heavy crude oil, thereby lowering the price. North American energy independence would provide a much-needed boost to the economy.

Is the Keystone pipeline safe?

The Keystone Pipeline Would Be Safer. Safety is always a paramount concern when discussing oil transportation. In terms of safe transport, the optimal method is by far pipelines, and the Keystone XL pipeline would become one of the safest pipelines ever built in the United States.

How much tax revenue will be generated from Keystone XL?

Construction of Keystone XL would cause a short-term tax revenue increase (primarily from sales and use taxes) of $66 million. Once the pipeline is operating, 27 counties will collect an additional $56 million in taxes. The pipeline won’t affect property values, according to the government.

What happens during the Dakota Access pipeline?

During construction, towns along the pipeline’s path are likely to see local booms in business, as workers spend money on lodging, food and entertainment. This has already happened along the Dakota Access corridor. However, like the construction jobs that fuel it, the boom is temporary.

What pipelines did Trump build?

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that construction would move forward on the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines , both of which had stalled under the Obama administration. The decision was a blow to environmental activists and supporters of tribal sovereignty, but was touted by the White House as a great boost to the American economy.

How much will the Dakota Access pipeline generate?

The projects would also increase local tax revenue. Once the Dakota Access pipeline is operational, it will generate about $55 million in property taxes, split across four states, according to estimates.

How much did the BP oil spill cost?

The five-year cleanup of BP’s oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, starting in 2010, cost the company $62 billion. That doesn’t include the cost of decreased tourism, diminished wildlife and land that becomes unusable. It also doesn’t account for potential long-term health effects.

How much does it cost to clean up an oil spill?

Cleaning up oil spills costs on average $16 per gallon, according to Resources for the Future, a nonprofit that focuses on environmental issues. But the range of costs varies enormously -- from $630 a gallon to $7 a gallon -- based on where the cleanup occurs, such as land or water, urban or rural areas.

How much money will the Keystone pipeline contribute to the US economy?

It is believed that the Keystone XL pipeline has the potential to contribute more than $3 billion annually to the US economy once it become operational. It would also create an estimated $2.4 billion (in US dollars) for Canada, which would be split between the government, shareholders, and company reinvestments.

How many jobs will the Keystone pipeline create?

The US State Department has estimated that the construction of the pipeline project could create up to 42,000 jobs over a two-year construction period.

How to remove bitumen from the ground?

According to the New York Times, one method includes using water and natural gas to pump steam into the tar sands , which creates the potential for a toxic runoff. Strip mining is the other option. 2.

How many barrels of oil are in the Keystone pipeline?

The Keystone XL pipeline is a delivery system that is designed to carry over 800,000 barrels of oil sands petroleum per day from Western Canada to oil refineries along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Around half of the pipeline has already been completed, but its construction has always been opposed by various environmentalist groups.

What would happen if Keystone XL went active?

In practical terms: if Keystone XL goes active, it would be the equivalent of adding 5.6 million cars to US roadways every day. 6. Tar sands oil has the potential to be highly corrosive. The oil that will be piped through the Keystone XL extension is some of the most corrosive petroleum that is used today.

Why can Canadian producers raise prices with Keystone?

With Keystone, Canadian producers can raise prices because the quality of the petroleum will be better while they are able to cut into their overhead costs at the same time. 6. The amount of emissions added to the atmosphere from Keystone XL are negligible.

Is Keystone pipeline a full pipeline?

It isn’t a full pipeline project. The Keystone pipeline already exists in a completed state. At the moment, it delivers tar sands oil to the Midwest. The goal is to extend the pipeline down to the Gulf Coast to increase potential processing capacities with an asset that already exists.

What are the Chinese doing to the world supply chain?

Chinese leaders have seized key elements of the world industrial supply chain, like rare earths. According to our government, they engage in pervasive industrial espionage. They have threatened American companies like Apple, Google and Walmart. In short, they know how to play the game.

Is Keystone XL pipeline a bonfire?

There are plenty of reasons to be against the Keystone XL pipeline. Environmentalists recognize it as the ultimate “bonfire of the vanities” — planet-wide carbon bonfires. The pipeline passes through an active earthquake zone.

Why is the Keystone pipeline important?

The Keystone XL pipeline was designed to transport oil to the Gulf Coast because refineries in the region are already equipped to process heavier crude oils, like those found in Canada’s Alberta province. The same kind of crude oil comes to the region from Latin America. If the pipeline transfers as much crude oil to the Gulf Coast as ...

Where does Keystone XL pipeline go?

What gets exported. The Keystone XL pipeline will transport crude oil from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska. The oil will then flow through another pipeline to Gulf Coast refineries, where it will be refined into petroleum products like gasoline.

Does the Gillibrand pipeline affect gas prices?

The U.S. State Department did not respond to most of Gillibrand’s claim but did comment on how the pipeline could affect gas prices. "As the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement makes clear, gas prices throughout the United States are primarily driven by global market factors," a spokesperson said.

Does Keystone XL have oil?

The Keystone XL pipeline "doesn’t even have any oil for America.". The Keystone Steele City pumping station in Nebraska. The Keystone XL pipeline is supposed to connect to the station / Credit: Associated Press, 2015.

Root of The Problem

More Production, But Higher Costs For Americans

• Even if the pipeline was already built, it wouldn't help with the price at the pump, Nemet added, noting that the U.S. has already doubled its oil production over the last 15 years. "And yet, we still have $100 per barrel oil." With inflation soaring, gas prices have been increasing for months — hitting an average of $4.33 a gallonon March 11, acco...

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