Myths vs. Facts on the Keystone XL Pipeline

By James Rothstein Last updated May 3, 2022 0

In recent months, the Keystone XL pipeline, a 2,000-mile tar sands pipeline that would run from Canada to the Gulf Coast, has ignited an intensifying dispute, with both sides arguing over the potential implications.

for the sake of energy security, economic creation, public health, and environmental protection President Barack Obama’s recent denial

Although obtaining a cross-border permit was a wise and crucial step, some members of Congress are proposing legislation to expedite the process.

Regardless, the initiative is moving forward. Meanwhile, Big Oil has redoubled its efforts, threatening “massive political implications” if the conflict continues.

President. It should come as no surprise that their tactics are shady, but TransCanada and its partners have proven this time and time again.

Spreading lies and misinformation regarding the idea has been discovered. So, what do you need to know about the most serious threat to our civilization?

What is the country’s energy future? Let’s debunk the most common misconceptions about KXL one by one:

MYTH #1: The Keystone XL pipeline will produce 500,000 jobs.

FACT: The numbers continue to rise. Jobs would be produced in the thousands, tens of thousands, two hundred thousand, and even half a million.

According to the American Petroleum Institute, there is only one pipeline. API and the US Chamber of Commerce are among the supporters.

making KXL appear to be the best infrastructure project since the interstate roads were built, capable of solving all of the world’s problems on its own

bringing our country out of the doldrums, However, according to the only independent study (conducted by Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute),

These claims don’t hold water, according to the Institute. The truth is that TransCanada’s job claims are pure fabrications, and the Cornell University study backs this up.

“KXL will not be a major generator of US jobs, nor will it play any significant part in putting the country back on track,” the research says.

“It’s time for Americans to get back to work.”

According to the State Department’s own research, substantially fewer employment will be created, and the majority of those that are created will be temporary.

They will be transient and non-local.

This leads us to the second myth…

MYTH #2: Organized labor is a pipeline fanatic.

FACT: We all understand the importance of jobs, even if they are temporary. The Keystone XL pipeline,

However, this would make it much more difficult for the US to invest in sustainable energy.

Organized labor is concerned about the need to create energy jobs and solve global climate change.

a substantial amount The United Steelworkers, the Transport Workers Union, and the National Labor Relations Board issued a joint statement on January 18th.

The Communications Workers of America, the United Auto Workers, and the Workers Union

President Obama was honored by America and the Service Employees International Union.

Obama’s decision to deny the permission, citing the “job blackmail goal” of the Bush administration.

Friends of Big Oil in Congress are referring to their efforts to force building.

“cynical.”

ii The Labor Party is not a monolithic organization, but it is our greatest hope for a clean government.

The energy economy is located distant from the tar sands.

MYTH #3: The Keystone XL pipeline will strengthen America’s energy security.

FACT: The Keystone XL pipeline was built for one purpose: to transport oil from Canada to the United States.

the Gulf Coast of Texas, and then to international markets. According to veteran military personnel

Can we rely on Big Oil to tell us the truth?

what is their pet project? (Photo:

flickr.com/Onion)

Tar sands that haven’t been polished (Photo courtesy of Lou Gold)

The pipeline, according to Brigadier General Steven M. Anderson (the US Army’s senior logistician in Iraq from 2006 to 2007), “would set a precedent.”

Our renewable energy projects will be supported for at least two decades, much to the delight of our adversaries. It would ensure that we stay on track.

our oil addiction and put off making the difficult decisions about energy production, management, and conservation that we need to make.

“We must begin making now.” And, as Anderson points out, “Canadian oil will not replace imports from hostile countries.”

Because Texas refineries are serving global need rather than home demand, they are exporting to other countries.”

iii

MYTH #4: Keystone XL is a risky project.

FACT: Bitumen from raw tar sands is more corrosive than bitumen from refined tar sands.

Because it is more abrasive than regular crude oil, the chance of a leak is higher. The

The Alberta pipeline system (which transports diluted bitumen)

product planned for KXL) has got almost sixteen times as many views as

As with the US system, there have been numerous spills due to internal corrosion. Yet,

the United States’ regulations for spill response and safety

Bitumen pipelines are designed for traditional transport.

oil. To make matters worse, the industry is illiterate when it comes to cleaning.

clean up this product after a spill–due to its unusual composition, it may be used on a variety of surfaces.

Clean-up approaches that have been used in the past do not work (for example, unlike in the past).

Diluted bitumen sinks in water, but conventional oil does not).

MYTH #5: The Keystone XL pipeline will lower our energy costs.

FACT: TransCanada expects the pipeline to be completed by the end of the year, according to its own confidential documents presented to the Canadian government.

could raise gas prices by up to 15 cents per gallon in the Midwest Currently, there is a gas excess in the region, which means that

Our pricing remains consistent. Oil companies will be able to transmit their product to the Gulf Coast for export if the pipeline is built.

This will lessen the surplus and raise prices for customers in the Midwest.

MYTH #6: The pipeline was opposed in Nebraska and Iowa by out-of-state “special interests” and “environmental fanatics.”

anywhere along the pipeline’s path

FACT: TransCanada (a foreign oil business) and its Washington lobbyists are the true out-of-state special interests.

This enterprise has the potential to produce billions of dollars. Meanwhile, Nebraskans of all stripes, including ranchers, farmers, Native Americans, and others, are protesting.

political officials from both parties (including Republicans like Senator Mike Johanns and Governor Rick Scott)

Dave Heineman) have all spoken out against the pipeline route. Not to mention the tens of thousands of Americans who have been affected.

landowners who have spoken up against the project in public meetings across the country.

MYTH #7: Keystone XL will not increase global warming pollution because Canadian tar sands will be explored regardless of whether or not the pipeline is built.

pipeline.

FACT: TransCanada has essentially put all of its eggs in the KXL basket for one simple reason: it’s the only viable method to sell the pipeline.

goods sold in other countries Enbridge is another company (which was responsible for a million-gallon spill in Michigan last summer)

is seeking to construct a 730-mile “Northern Gateway” pipeline to Canada’s west coast, but it has come to a halt because of significant opposition.

Along the way, it will face pushback from indigenous populations. Any western route would be dogged by decades of legal battles.

As sustainable energy technology advances, the tar sands may become outdated. Projects like these are where the true risk lies.

The development of tar sands has left a huge scar on the environment.

This property near Fort McMurray, Alberta, has a boreal forest.

The proposed “Cushing extension” by Enbridge and the “Seaway reversal” by TransCanada, both of which would take oil from Oklahoma.

down to the Gulf Coast, where it will be exported.

MYTH #8: Pipelines are already crisscrossing the Midwest, and we have no difficulties with them.

FACT: The original Keystone 1 pipeline, for example, has been beset by issues since its opening in 2009 –

At least 12 spills have been reported, including one involving 21,000 gallons last spring. And before TransCanada reversed course,

The Keystone XL pipeline was supposed to be the first tar sands pipeline to pass through the Sandhills, which is known for its environmental sensitivity.

not to mention the possibility of a future project cutting right across the Ogallala aquifer.

MYTH #9: The government’s Keystone XL review process was fair.

as well as thorough

FACT: The United States State Department (the body in charge of vetting)

A phony review was conducted by the project. Their actions have resulted in

A conflict of interest in favor of the project has poisoned the process.

They have also failed to examine pipeline safety risks with any degree of accuracy.

rigor contacted Tribal nations insufficiently and failed to

protect Americans from threats of eminent domain issued by

TransCanada. This includes special consideration for women.

TransCanada’s top lobbyist (a former State Department aide)

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton), as well as outsourcing much of her work.

the review process to a corporation that lists TransCanada as one of its customers

a significant clients TransCanada is likely to submit a revised application.

Soon, we’ll be submitting an application for KXL; we’ll need something completely new and different.

process of unbiased evaluation

MYTH #10: The Keystone XL pipeline will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax income to states along its route.

FACT: The Cornell report consistently refutes TransCanada’s economic assertions, stating that “what is being offered by the company is not what is being offered by the company.”

Instead of real research to inform public debate and decision-making, proponents focus on advocacy to generate support for KXL.

“Making prudent decisions.” This tax revenue forecast, like their job numbers, appears to have appeared out of nowhere.

air, and the initial Keystone 1 project didn’t even come close to meeting expectations: based on tax documents

TransCanada’s revenues in South Dakota, for example, have been less than one-third of what they promised.v