What is the Keystone XL Pipeline?
The original purpose of the Keystone XL pipeline additions was to swiftly deliver the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel and tar sands oil to market. The pipeline promised to significantly increase the capacity to process the 168 billion barrels of crude oil locked up under Canada’s forests. According to NRDC, “It was expected to transport 830,000 barrels of Alberta tar sands oil per day to refineries on the Gulf Coast of Texas. From the refineries, the oil would be sent chiefly overseas – not to gasoline pumps in the United States.”
Benefits of Keystone XL
- Will Create a Major Job Market
The US State Department has predicted that throughout the course of the project’s two-year construction phase, up to 42,000 employment might be generated. The majority of these positions would be regarded as transient, but 38,000 of them would be referred to as support positions, such as food service. This initiative would also provide about 35 permanent jobs.
- Will be a Major Economic Contributor
Once operational, it is anticipated that the Keystone XL pipeline will help the US economy by more than $3 billion yearly, and $2.4 billion (in US dollars) would also be generated for Canada as a result, with a portion going to the government, shareholders, and corporate reinvestments. Additionally, it would enable Canadian oil companies to get an additional $2 per barrel from tar sands oil.
- Reestablishment of the Alberta oil sand sector for Canada
In Alberta, the decline in oil prices from 2014 to 2016 resulted in the loss of more than 35,000 local jobs related to or supporting petroleum extraction. As a result of the forced shutdown, there is a revenue deficit of around $1 billion; however, the Keystone XL pipeline’s completion would boost support for this industry and create sales that may help local employment return.
- Safer than other methods
According to Vittana, “TransCanada has essentially said that they are going to process tar sands oil whether the pipeline extension from Keystone is built or not.” While there are alternative ways to move this substance such as by rail, pipeline transportation is the safest option. It is advisable to select the safest mode of transportation in a world where the tar sands oil will reach its destination, and in this case, it would be the Keystone XL pipeline.
- Promotion of US Oil Development
A portion of the oil that will be transported through Keystone XL will originate from Canada’s Bakken Shale deposit. This means that the project will support both Canadian jobs and US jobs in the oil business.
Global Warning is set in the home of Canada’s energy industry where the debate is having more impact than perhaps anywhere in the world. Global Warning connects with those ready for a new journey into the climate debate and may challenge many people’s perspectives. Canada is implementing aggressive environmental policies that are shutting down much of its traditional energy industry; however, while the effects of climate politics on Calgary are obvious, the story is much bigger. The climate debate will have a dramatic impact on all Canadians and should be a cautionary tale for people all around the world.
