Should the construction of the Keystone-XL pipeline be approved?
“America needs to fix its economy!” “The United States needs to import less!” “We need to create more jobs!” It seems that more and more often these phrases echo around us. It also seems likely that if we were presented with a solution to these cries for change that we would take it. We have been presented with that solution, and America, we are not taking it. The solution is the construction of the Keystone-XL pipeline. This pipeline is a proposed 1,179 mile long thirty-six inch diameter crude oil pipeline beginning in Hardisty Alberta and extending south to Steele city, Nebraska. Although the construction of the Keystone pipeline may reap negative effects on the environment, it is actually true that it will be a positive investment for our country.


Environmentalists claim that once the pipeline is built the emission of carbon dioxide will be detrimental to our atmosphere; however scientists have predicted that the pipeline will only raise the U.S. carbon emissions by zero to fifteen percent which really an insignificant number compared to worldwide emissions. Plus according to research done by the NIPCC (Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change), “No close correlation exists between temperature variation over the past 250 years and human related carbon dioxide emissions.” According to these scientists even if the Keystone pipeline does cause an increase in carbon levels it will have no real impact on our planet.
Another worry is that if the corrosive crude oil leaks it will be extremely damaging to the property the pipeline is built on. It is true that it will be damaging if a leak does occur but the probability of that happening is extremely low. The Keystone-XL pipeline will be the strongest pipeline ever built with thick steel, more shut off valves than any other pipeline previously built, and a state-of-the-art satellite system. These satellites will monitor the pipeline and will be updated every 5 seconds so that with the slightest warning the shut off valves can be employed. To further provide safety in case of a leak a new route was approved in 2012 which will minimize the disturbance of land and water resources.

While the Keystone pipeline will provide many benefits for the American economy. Through the pipeline we will be able to have a direct route where Canada’s oil can travel to the refineries in the Gulf coast refined and sold. This will greatly reduce the amount of crude oil imported by unfriendly countries from the Middle East and Venezuela. This trade will allow us to strengthen our relationship with Canada and lessen the amount of oil spills that occur in the ocean.

While the Keystone pipeline may propose risks to the area that it runs through and increase carbon emission more importantly the pipeline will provide jobs, long term energy independence, and an economic boost for Americans. It is estimated that during construction the pipeline will provide twenty thousand jobs. These jobs will purely go to Americans and provide much needed financial support for those who work on the pipeline. Currently 6.3% of Americans are unemployed. The construction of the Keystone pipeline could reduce this number. Also the pipeline will not only provide jobs during construction but will allow more people to be employed at refineries, and will provide jobs for maintenance of the pipeline.

In addition once constructed the pipeline will be able to transport 830,000 barrels of oil a day, and according to Harvard magazine in total it would pump enough oil to accommodate American needs for thirty years. This will reduce American dependence on oil from unfriendly countries such as Venezuela and the Middle East by forty percent. Last year America spent 700 million dollars importing oil from other countries. By reducing this number we will be helping the economy substantially. Also Trans-Canada has stated that if they do not build the pipeline to the refineries in the U.S. they will turn to other countries in the world. A pipeline will be built so we must determine where the location of the construction is. If it is in the United States then we reap the benefits. If it somewhere else then we have missed out on an opportunity to greatly improve the American economy.

The benefits of allowing the construction of the Keystone pipeline far out way the draw backs. The environmental issues it may cause are less significant than the economic boost it will provide. So instead of protesting against this great opportunity we should support it and let the President know that we support of the Keystone-XL pipeline in America.