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Results of a new USA Today Poll on 1/31 showed that 64% of the respondents support the Keystone XL
oil pipeline.
Keystone Pipeline Project TransCanada Working with State of Nebraska and Department of State to Finalize
New Route for Keystone XL through Nebraska
On Nov. 14, TransCanada announced it supports
proposed legislation within the State of Nebraska to move the Keystone XL pipeline project forward. If passed, this legislation, introduced the same day in the State legislature, will ensure a pipeline route will
be developed in Nebraska that avoids the Sandhills.
TransCanada is pleased with the positive conversations it is having
with Nebraska leaders, which have resulted in legislation that respects the concerns of Nebraskans and supports the development
of the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada at the same time confirmed to state leaders that the route for Keystone XL will be
changed and reaffirmed that Nebraskans will play an important role in determining the final route. These developments in Nebraska follow the Nov. 10 announcement by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) that further assessment
of alternative routes for Keystone XL was needed in Nebraska to move forward with the National Interest Determination. The
proposed state legislation in Nebraska is a critical first step in that process. Working together
with the State Department, Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality will conduct an environmental assessment to define
the best location for Keystone XL in Nebraska. TransCanada will work closely with these agencies and provide them with the
information they need to complete a thorough review that addresses concerns regarding the Sandhills region. Benefits of Keystone XL Are Certain
TransCanada believes Keystone XL will ultimately be
approved, as it is too important to the U.S. economy and its national interest. As well, Keystone XL remains the best option
for producers to supply crude oil to U.S. Gulf Coast Refineries.
The U.S. consumes 15 million barrels of oil each day
and imports 10 to 11 million barrels per day. Industry forecasts predict oil consumption will continue at these levels for
the next two to three decades, so a secure supply of crude oil is critical to U.S. energy security.
Keystone XL is shovel-ready.
TransCanada is poised to put 13,000 Americans to work to construct the pipeline - pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians,
heavy equipment operators, among other jobs - in addition to 7,000 manufacturing jobs that would be created across the U.S.
Additionally, local businesses along the pipeline route will benefit from the 118,000 spin-off jobs Keystone XL will create
through increased business for local goods and service providers.
TransCanada looks forward to concluding the U.S. regulatory
review process and beginning the important work of building Keystone XL. The safe and reliable operation of our pipelines
and infrastructure has been TransCanada's priority for 60 years. This same commitment will drive us forward in the years ahead. Project Overview
The U.S. $13 billion Keystone pipeline system will play
an important role in linking a secure and growing supply of Canadian crude oil with the largest refining markets in the United
States, significantly improving North American security supply. In June 2010 TransCanada commenced
commercial operation of the first phase of the Keystone Pipeline System. Keystone's first phase was highlighted by the conversion
of natural gas pipeline to crude oil pipeline and construction of an innovative bullet line that brings the crude oil non-stop
from Canada to market hubs in the U.S. Midwest. Keystone Cushing (Phase II), an extension of
the Keystone Pipeline from Steele City, Nebraska to Cushing, Oklahoma went into service in February 2011. The 36-inch pipeline
connects to storage and distribution facilities at Cushing, a major crude oil marketing/refining and pipeline hub. The proposed Keystone Gulf Coast Expansion Project is an approximate 2,673-kilometre (1,661-mile),
36-inch crude oil pipeline that would begin at Hardisty, Alberta and extend southeast through Saskatchewan, Montana, South
Dakota and Nebraska. It would incorporate a portion of the Keystone Pipeline (Phase II) through Nebraska and Kansas to serve
markets at Cushing, Oklahoma before continuing through Oklahoma to a delivery point near existing terminals in Nederland,
Texas to serve the Port Arthur, Texas marketplace.
Keystone Pipeline Project (wikipedia)
News
Senate GOP tries to restore Keystone pipeline (Washington Post) 2/13/12
Canada Needs New Oil Outlets After Keystone Rejection, IEA Says (Bloomberg) 2/10/12 Canada will need to find new outlets for its crude output after the
Obama administration rejected TransCanada Corp.’s application to build the Keystone XL pipeline, the International Energy
Agency said. The Keystone decision has longer-term implications for Canadian oil
producers and will result in the country having to find a West Coast export point by the middle of this decade, the IEA said
today in its monthly oil market report. Read more...
Obama's Keystone Rejection May Provide A Buffett Bonanza (Forbes) 1/26/12
U.S. review on Keystone pipeline permitting out soon 1/12/12
By Andrew Restuccia (TheHill) 01/02/12 With President Obama’s decision on the Keystone XL pipeline
looming, the White House and Republicans will spend the next several weeks trying to win the messaging war over the controversial
project.
The stakes are high for both sides. Obama risks backlash from key
union supporters if he rejects the project, but faces the ire of environmental groups if he approves it.
Rasmussen: 53% Favor Keystone XL Pipeline (Newsmax) 12/28/11
- A majority of voters continue to
favor the building of an oil pipeline from Canada to Texas that congressional Republicans are prodding President Barack Obama
to approve in legislation passed last week. Full Story...
Keystone pipeline would be good for nation (The Morning Call) 12/26/11
GOP leaders: Pipeline stays in payroll tax bill
WASHINGTON (AP) 12/16/11 (USAToday) A dispute over a Canada to Texas oil pipeline
threatened to complicate efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would avert a New Year's tax increase for millions of Americans and extend government
benefits to the unemployed. Read full story...
(AP)
WASHINGTON (11/13/11) Sensing a political opening, House Republicans on Tuesday approved a plan that links speedy approval
of an oil pipeline from Canada to a measure renewing a payroll tax cut. The vote sets
up a showdown with President Barack Obama, who has threatened to veto the bill. The White House says the bill "plays
politics" with what should be its main goal: cutting taxes for the middle class. Read full story...
Lobbyists go to battle over Keystone pipeline (TheHill) 12/11/11 By Rachel Leven
WASHINGTON 12/8/11 (FoxBusiness) House Republicans on Thursday tied an extension of
a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits to swiftly approving the Keystone oil pipeline between the U.S. and Canada. President
Barack Obama has said he won't accept linking the pipeline project with an extension of the tax
cut, which will expire at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act. House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, said
"the American people can't wait" for the jobs the pipeline would bring and said the House would vote on the GOP
bill next week. The Obama administration has delayed a decision on Keystone until 2013.
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