What is the Keystone XL Pipeline?
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The proposed keystone XL pipeline is a 1,179 mile section that would replace the existing pipeline connecting the tar sands oil reserve in Alberta, Canada to a depot/transfer station in Steele City, Nebraska. The existing Keystone pipeline stretches from Alberta, Canada to Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas and has the capacity to deliver 700,000 barrels per day to refineries in those states (Slade, 30-31). With the new section, capacity of the Keystone pipeline would increase to 830,000 barrels of oil per day (TransCanada). Since the pipeline crosses the border between Canada and the United States, TransCanada must request a Presidential Permit through the U. S. Department of State. TransCanada has been waiting for approval by the President since 2012. During this period, the pipeline project has ignited significant debate. Many stakeholders feel that the Keystone XL pipeline is a great opportunity for our economy and energy security. These persons hold that the pipeline would create greater energy security by lessening the United States dependence on oil from Venezuela and the Middle East. These stakeholders also argue that construction of the pipeline oil will help boost the economy by lowering the cost of gasoline and creating jobs. Opposing stakeholders believe that the environmental risks associated with the pipeline greatly outweigh the benefits. These persons argue that using tar sands oil is very detrimental to our environment because the process of extracting tar sands oil is more resource intensive compared to conventional oil extraction and tar sands oil contains more greenhouse gasses. Opponents are also concerned about the negative impacts of a potential oil spill. The purpose of this site is not to persuade a reader one way or another on the issue, but to make readers knowledgeable about the Keystone XL pipeline. This site will provide readers with views from three different stakeholder’s, along with other important resources to allow the reader to be as informed as possible.
About the author
I am a second year student at the University of Maryland and I made this website for my English course. I have done extensive research on the topic on the Keystone XL Pipeline and have used this topic for multiple assignments throughout this semester.
Source not linked:
Slade, Edwin. "The Keystone Pipeline Addition: Assessing The Potential Benefits Of Reduced Gasoline Prices And Increased National Security." Creighton Law Review 46.1 (2012): 27-60. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.
About the author
I am a second year student at the University of Maryland and I made this website for my English course. I have done extensive research on the topic on the Keystone XL Pipeline and have used this topic for multiple assignments throughout this semester.
Source not linked:
Slade, Edwin. "The Keystone Pipeline Addition: Assessing The Potential Benefits Of Reduced Gasoline Prices And Increased National Security." Creighton Law Review 46.1 (2012): 27-60. Academic Search Premier. Web. 9 Nov. 2014.