The Keystone Pipeline Debate

This was first published on 11/6/2014 on a blog I wrote for previously (which is no longer being updated).


For years now, the Keystone Pipeline has been a topic that has been discussed by conservatives and liberals alike.  There are benefits, and there are extremely dangerous environmental impacts to consider.  Why would it be good for America?  Why would it be bad?  You need facts to make a decision on whether or not you should support or fight against the extension of the Keystone Pipeline.

What is the Keystone Pipeline?

According to TransCanada, the corporation owning the pipeline:

"Keystone XL Pipeline will be the safest and most advanced oil pipeline operation in North America. It will not only bring essential infrastructure to North American oil producers, but it will also provide jobs, long-term energy independence and an economic boost to Americans."  ~ See more at: http://keystone-xl.com/#sthash.7G0JM9ab.dpuf 

The pipeline already exists, and the reason why American news outlets continue to report on it is because of the proposed extension of the pipeline.  According to reports by NPR, "The existing Keystone runs from oil sand fields in Alberta, Canada into the U.S., ending in Cushing, Oklahoma." There is also a proposed 1700 miles of new pipeline waiting for approval.

Canadian tar sands are the beginning point of the Keystone Pipeline.  In fact, 97% of Canada's  oil deposits are found in the tar sands, and the amount of oil reserves puts Canada into the third largest reserve in the world, according to Oil Sands Today.

What are Tar and Oil Sands?

Tar Sands and Oil Sands are used interchangeably.  As indicated by the name, the oil isn't crude like what we see being pumped out by the wells and their dinosaur sized pumps that dot landscapes across the world.  Here are some Tar Sand basics:

• Bitumen is the oil found in a mixture of clay, sand, and water.  Bitumen is heavy and thick.  It must be extracted and then refined.
• Extracting the oil is a much more complex refinery than what comes from conventional oil.  Not only must it be extracted, but hydrocarbons must be added to the oil to make it transportable by a pipeline.  
• Canada produces the most Tar Sand oil.  
• Two tons of Tar Sands produce 1 barrel of oil, and only about 75% of the oil is actually extracted from the sand.  What is left over is returned to the mine, as a sort of reclamation.  

What is the environmental impact of tar sand extraction?

"Both mining and processing of tar sands involve a variety of environmental impacts, such as global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, disturbance of mined land; impacts on wildlife and air and water quality. The development of a commercial tar sands industry in the U.S. would also have significant social and economic impacts on local communities. Of special concern in the relatively arid western United States is the large amount of water required for tar sands processing; currently, tar sands extraction and processing require several barrels of water for each barrel of oil produced, though some of the water can be recycled." (http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/tarsands/)

How big are the Tar Sands in Canada?

Canada is huge, but the actual size and location of the Tar Sands are worth examining.  According to the Sierra Club of Canada:

• The Canadian Tar Sands are located in the province of Alberta with nearby deposits in Saskatchewan
• The deposits cover 54,132 square miles, which is about the size of the state of New York
• Canada's Boreal Forest, rich in coniferous trees, diverse plant and animal life, and coined as "the lungs of the planet" hold the tar sands.  Much like the Amazon Rainforest, the Boreal Forest is one of the largest carbon storehouses.  

In essence, the extraction of the tar oil in the Boreal Forest means actual destruction of the forest for mining purposes.  Much like the concern of the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, the destruction of the Boreal Forest causes the Earth to have more difficulty turning carbon dioxide into clean oxygen.  Situations like these cause the Earth to have even more greenhouse gases, which is what is believed to be the cause of Climate Change, or Global Warming.

Also, this shouldn't surprise you: "The biggest foreign lease holder in Canada’s oil sands isn’t Exxon Mobil or Chevron. It’s the Koch brothers." (By Steven Mufson and Juliet Eilperin March 20, 2014, The Washington Post).  

So, what is going to happen with the proposed extension of the Keystone Pipeline?

So far, Obama has made no decision on the extension of the Keystone Pipeline.  However, now that Republicans have taken control of the House and Senate, this will become a huge point for them to push in 2015.  Remember, many of the Republicans owe a great debt to the Koch Brothers for their help in getting them elected.  Despite the facts of the environmental impact of the pipeline, there's no doubt a real fight will ensue very soon.  

Learn more about this on Reuters.com: Republicans craft 2015 plan to force Obama's hand on Keystone

Will the Keystone Pipeline benefit America at all?

Cornell University conducted a study of the Keystone Pipeline.  The Keystone project has been sold to America as a jobs program, a way to reduce gas prices for American consumers, and a boost to the American Economy.  The Cornell University study seems to disprove all of the selling points.  A Report Overview points out some of the topics covered in the full report linked above: 

• This isn't a jobs program.  In fact what jobs will be created are temporary and the steel pipe needed for the pipeline will be manufactured outside of America.
• The pipe manufacturer has produced sub-standard steel that ultimately led to previous pipeline spills and leaks.
• Fuel prices will actually increase, especially in the Midwest.
• The pipeline will cause more oil spills, climate change, and pollution.

So, the question still remains, what benefits will actually come from the Keystone Pipeline.  You can use Google to answer that question.  All I was able to find was biased, and directly from Keystone owners.  

What is presented above is logical and factual.  Even if there are benefits (economical is the only benefit I can think of, but that only benefits the economy of big business), the destruction of the Earth, the pollution, and the dangers posed by oil spills is enough of a reason to fight the pipeline's extension.  

Take Action!

You can write your Senator and express your concerns about the Keystone Pipeline.  If you don't know who your Senator is, visit the following link, and find what you need to make contact and be heard:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm