Pros And Cons Of The Keystone XL Pipeline

Keystone XL Pipeline

Chances are the crude that traveled through the Keystone XL Pipeline, or a similar pipeline might be in our gas tanks. The Keystone XL Pipeline is a hotly contested pipeline that transports heavy crude from the tar sands of Alberta to American refineries in the Midwest or Gulf of Mexico to be used domestically or to be exported. (Domm par.3). The Keystone XL Pipeline needs to be constructed to help the United States wean off the use of foreign oil, have a minimal environmental impact, and allow for economic development. Furthermore, being energy independent is always helpful to that nation’s security and infrastructure. For example, when the Keystone XL Pipeline is built, the United States can shy away from purchasing

It has been said that the electric car would mark the end to the mass production of crude oil, but that is far from the truth. One would think that the more electric vehicles on the road, the less consumption of crude oil and its byproducts, and that’s not true either. By 2040, the number of passenger vehicles will hit more than 1.8 billion worldwide. In that growth, only 10% will be electric vehicles. (Kazokoglu par.1) For the next 22 years, combustion type engines will be growing in production rather than shrinking, even with the introduction of electric vehicles to the mass market. The demand for crude oil from North America will be met by building the Keystone XL Pipeline. Have you ever priced an all-electric vehicle? The cost of an electric vehicle vs the cost of a standard vehicle is quite a difference, they’re just not affordable to the average family. Because of the continued surging demand for oil and the price of electric vehicles, the need for gasoline and crude oil products will not waiver in the future, so building the Keystone XL Pipeline needs to be built to supply the growing crude oil demand of a growing

The Keystone Pipeline is being built during one of the most environmental conscious times that this country has ever had. One would have to think that TransCanada would ensure the safety and vitality of the Keystone pipeline. The pipeline will be under heavy surveillance during its operation. The pipeline will be closely watched “24 hours a day, 365 days a year” (Keystone Safety par.5) According to the Keystone XL website, shut off valves will allow a damaged pipeline to be shut down in minutes. The valves will be placed “every 20 miles with extra valves required to protect water crossings and other areas of higher consequence” (Keystone Safety par. 10). These valves will ensure for minimum environmental impact should a spill ever occur. The construction of the Keystone XL pipeline has the opportunity to show environmental activists that a safe, reliable and state-of-the-art pipeline can be built. Besides, don’t most vehicles run on fossil fuels? Until a complete substitution for crude oil is found, building the ultra-safe Keystone XL Pipeline makes the most logical sense. In the end, the goal is to help our nation by being both environmentally friendly but yet, construct a feasible and futuristic pipeline that will benefit us all in the years