Canceling the pipeline worsens carbon emissions, costs American jobs, and hurts the nation's global standing. President Joe Biden should reconsider.
The Pipeline Was Environmentally Beneficial
Canceling the pipeline isn't going to stop Canada's production of crude oil. It will only change the method of transportation.
Transporting oil by pipeline is significantly more environmentally friendly than trucking and rail.
Trucking and rail transportation increase the risk of oil spills and emit more CO2. While part of Biden's Build Back Better program was net-zero carbon emissions, shutting the pipeline down won't help.
Quick Pipeline Facts
- Pipelines create 61-77% less greenhouse gas emissions than rail over long distances.
- Every year from 2003 to 2013, pipelines experienced fewer accidents per million barrels of oil equivalent transported than did rail.
- Rail is more than 4.5 times more likely to experience accidents.
- 99% of pipeline accidents from 2003 to 2013 didn’t damage the environment.
Canada's oil reserves are the third largest in the world. The U.S. buys 98% of Canada's oil exports. Getting it should be efficient economically and environmentally. The Keystone XL Pipeline would've done that.
11,000 Jobs Gone
A State Department study under President Barack Obama found that the pipeline would generate:
- 3,200 temporary construction jobs
- 42,000 jobs indirectly
- Over $2 billion in wages
As a result of Biden's executive order, more than 1,000 jobs will be lost. According to TC Energy Corp, the Canadian company that owns the pipeline, another 11,000 construction jobs will also be cut.
Six American union contractors were awarded to build the pipeline and were responsible for hiring 7,000 workers. Those unions will hurt too.
On A Global Scale, It's Not Good For The U.S.
The U.S. buys almost all of Canada's exported oil (98%). Without the Keystone Pipeline, we lose the guarantee of Canada's oil.
It makes sense for Canada to broaden their market. Why should they have all their eggs in one basket? Canceling the Pipeline gives Canada good reason to start exporting to China and India, a move that would hurt the U.S.
Sources: Real Clear Energy, Austin American-Statesmen, Daily Caller, Enbridge Energy, Fraser Institute, The Wall Street Journal