The Keystone Pipeline is a pipeline that is projected to carry 830,000 barrels a day of crude oil. The pipeline will carry oil from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. To finish construction on the pipeline President Obama must approve of the idea. In 2012 the Keystone Pipeline was denied by President Obama. In a statement issued by the White House President Obama states, “It does not change my Administration’s commitment to American-made energy that creates jobs and reduces our dependence on oil.”
2012 Keystone Pipeline proposal
Sine the 2012 denial about 40% of the pipeline has already been built. So far the pipeline has been built in two segments; Steele City, Neb to Cushing, OK (298 miles) and Cushing and Nederland, TX (485). The last portion of the pipeline “Keystone Pipeline XL” is what has been in the news lately, whether or not it is logical to pass the construction.
Proposed XL pipeline
Positive Effects of Pipeline:
~The State Department estimates that the construction of the extension of the Keystone Pipeline XL would create 42,000 jobs.
~The pipeline will generate about $3 billion toward the US GDP. The pipeline will benefit the towns that the pipeline travels through.
~Would create the third largest oil reserve in the world
~Most complex refining hub on the Gulf
~Pipeline workers are safer than working on an oil rig.
~Pipeline has 59 extra special safety guidelines that surpass federal regulations.
Negative Effects of Pipeline:
~The pipeline will only crete 42,000 jobs while under construction, it will cause a very small number of permeant jobs.
~Emits 17% more greenhouse gases than oil drilling
~State department thinks the pipeline will create a small impact but not enough to contribute and help the US.
2014 Vote
The Keystone Pipeline XL Vote took place November 18th and failed to receive approval from Senate. The pipeline fell just short of one vote to pass, the final results were 59-41. Senator Mary Landrieu (D) from Louisiana was the sponsor of the bill. In an ABC news article Landrieu stated, ““It’s been on my agenda and it’s staying on my agenda and I’m going to do everything I can to help America become energy independent,” Landrieu said after the bill was defeated. “This fight was worth having.”
http://keystone-xl.com/benefits-of-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline-us-jobs-economic-benefits-energy-security-environmental-responsibility-pipeline-safety-transcanada/
http://www.npr.org/2014/11/17/364727163/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-keystone-xl-oil-pipeline
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/18/statement-president-keystone-xl-pipeline
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/keystone-pipeline-fails-senate/story?id=27005358