7 Reasons Why the Keystone XL Pipeline Should Be Approved
7 Reasons Why the Keystone XL Pipeline Should Be Approved Skip to content
Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations have an average return of 397%. For $79 (or just $1.52 per week), join more than 1 million members and don't miss their upcoming stock picks. 30 day money-back guarantee. Sign Up Now 1. The Evolution of Society Depends on the Conversion of Energy
In his 2006 article “History of Energy” for The Franklin Institute, Dr. James Williams wrote that the “standard of living and quality of civilization are proportional to the quantity of energy a society uses.” As a consequence, societies will not willingly reduce the quantity of energy necessary to maintain their existing economies. The pursuit, acquisition, and protection of long-term, stable energy sources are fundamental to the United States’ economic and geographical security. 2. The Oxidation of Carbon Will Remain the Primary Energy Source for the 21st Century
From the dawn of the species, firewood (renewable biomass) provided the energy to heat our homes and cook food, gradually being replaced by fossilized fuels beginning with the Industrial Revolution. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2012 Key World Energy Statistics, carbon fuels continue to supply more than 90% of the world’s total energy consumption of 8,677 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent), or almost 14.1 trillion kilowatt hours. Coal, oil, and natural gas remain the primary source of energy for the world, providing two-thirds of the world’s energy today versus biofuels’ estimated 12.7%. The United States consumes about 20% of the world’s energy, with only about 4.5% of the world’s population. 3.Trillions of Dollars Are at Stake
Trillions of dollars are invested in facilities and machines around the world that are dependent upon existing carbon fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). These assets cannot be economically abandoned, nor easily converted to other energy sources. As a consequence, industrialized countries (including the United States) seek to gradually transition to more environmentally friendly energy sources while maximizing the efficiency of the carbon oxidation process and minimizing harmful emissions. At the same time, new sources of hydrocarbons, particularly oil, within U.S. borders and the North American continent, will continue to be sought, developed, and exploited for economic and geopolitical purposes. 4. It May Help the U.S. Become Energy Independent
Oil and gas production from new horizontal drilling techniques and fracking technology may make the U.S. energy independent by 2020. The International Energy Agency predicted in November 2012 that the United States would replace Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading oil producer by the end of the decade. Some analysts believe that the United States will stop importing oil as a result of the new supplies. The northern extension of the XL Pipeline is needed to transport “light tight oil” from Montana and other western states in addition to the heavy crude oil of the tar sands of Athabasca. 5. Oil From the Athabasca Tar Sands Will Be Produced Regardless
As the world price of oil has risen, unconventional sources of oil and natural gas have become economical. Approximately 1.7 million barrels per day of heavy crude oil was produced from the Athabasca oil sands in 2011, and production will increase in future years. The oil sands of Alberta account for 98% of Canada’s proven oil reserves (more than 188.7 billion barrels) – more than 30% of the GDP of Alberta – and generated more than $3 billion in royalties to the government in 2010 and 2011. Engineers project that the oil sands can sustain daily production of 2.5 million barrels for 186 years. As a result of the delays in approval for the Keystone XL Pipeline, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has proposed an alternative pipeline within Canadian borders that would carry the oil from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia to be shipped by tankers to China. 6. Controlling Access to the Canadian Oil Is Strategically Important to the United States
While domestic sources of petroleum have been rising, the need for energy is also increasing worldwide. Refining the tar sands oil within the United States for domestic use or export reinforces the economic cooperation between Canada and the United States while maintaining important options for the latter to direct the refined product to “friendly” allies. However, a Canadian pipeline to British Columbia as proposed by the Canadian Prime Minister eliminates potential oil resources and reduces United States influence. 7. A Pipeline Is the Best Way to Transport Oil Over Long Distances
The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline will transport approximately 800,000 barrels of crude per day, roughly the equivalent of 3,750 tanker truck loads, delivering a load every 25 seconds around the clock, not including those trucks in transit to and from refineries over highways and bridges badly in need of repair and replacement. Some have advocated railroad tanker cars to transport the oil if the pipeline is not approved. While more expensive, railroads offer delivery flexibility not available with a pipeline, simply by redirecting trains to different terminals. However, replacing the XL Pipeline’s capacity would require ten 225-car trains per day (five loaded and five unloaded), not including those trains in transit traveling in some cases more than 1,000 miles between loading and unloading. Each train would be approximately two and a quarter miles in length and require five to six locomotives with corresponding emissions. Also, pipelines have a lower spill rate per barrel transported than either trains, trucks, or barges.
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By Michael Lewis Date March 01, 2022FEATURED PROMOTION
During the past presidential campaign, the Keystone XL Pipeline became a political football. Since that time, the pipeline’s planned route has been changed to avoid potential harm to the Ogallala Aquifer and is currently awaiting final approval from the State Department. Many Americans, however, are surprised to learn that the Keystone Pipeline already exists, transporting since 2010 590,000 barrels of “heavy” crude oil a day, 2,148 miles from the oil sands surrounding Hardisty, Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska and subsequently to holding facilities in Patoka and a ConocoPhillips refinery at Wood River, Illinois. The Keystone, owned by TransCanada, is one of many crude oil pipelines currently crossing the border between the United States and Canada, including the Express and Enbridge lines. Two planned expansions of the Keystone XL Pipeline – a controversial 1,170-mile line through Baker, Montana to Steele City, Kansas and on to Cushing, Oklahoma, and a second 485 mile-line from Cushing to the Gulf Coast refineries in the Texas cities of Port Arthur and Houston – have launched political battles between Republicans and Democrats, environmentalists and “big oil,” and individual landowners and states exercising eminent domain rights. On March 22, 2012, President Obama announced his approval of the Cushing/Gulf Coast expansion and urged regulators to “fast-track” necessary approvals necessary to beginning construction. One year later, he announced that a decision on the northern section of the pipeline would be forthcoming.Reasons to Approve the Northern Pipeline Extension
It is difficult to determine the actual and/or likely impact of the XL Pipeline extension from the rhetoric emanating from the various sides of the controversy. However, the following points about oil and other carbon forms of energy – as well as their impact upon United States policies – are generally agreed upon by both sides and, from a pragmatist’s view, justify approval of the extension:Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations have an average return of 397%. For $79 (or just $1.52 per week), join more than 1 million members and don't miss their upcoming stock picks. 30 day money-back guarantee. Sign Up Now 1. The Evolution of Society Depends on the Conversion of Energy
In his 2006 article “History of Energy” for The Franklin Institute, Dr. James Williams wrote that the “standard of living and quality of civilization are proportional to the quantity of energy a society uses.” As a consequence, societies will not willingly reduce the quantity of energy necessary to maintain their existing economies. The pursuit, acquisition, and protection of long-term, stable energy sources are fundamental to the United States’ economic and geographical security. 2. The Oxidation of Carbon Will Remain the Primary Energy Source for the 21st Century
From the dawn of the species, firewood (renewable biomass) provided the energy to heat our homes and cook food, gradually being replaced by fossilized fuels beginning with the Industrial Revolution. According to the International Energy Agency’s 2012 Key World Energy Statistics, carbon fuels continue to supply more than 90% of the world’s total energy consumption of 8,677 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent), or almost 14.1 trillion kilowatt hours. Coal, oil, and natural gas remain the primary source of energy for the world, providing two-thirds of the world’s energy today versus biofuels’ estimated 12.7%. The United States consumes about 20% of the world’s energy, with only about 4.5% of the world’s population. 3.Trillions of Dollars Are at Stake
Trillions of dollars are invested in facilities and machines around the world that are dependent upon existing carbon fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). These assets cannot be economically abandoned, nor easily converted to other energy sources. As a consequence, industrialized countries (including the United States) seek to gradually transition to more environmentally friendly energy sources while maximizing the efficiency of the carbon oxidation process and minimizing harmful emissions. At the same time, new sources of hydrocarbons, particularly oil, within U.S. borders and the North American continent, will continue to be sought, developed, and exploited for economic and geopolitical purposes. 4. It May Help the U.S. Become Energy Independent
Oil and gas production from new horizontal drilling techniques and fracking technology may make the U.S. energy independent by 2020. The International Energy Agency predicted in November 2012 that the United States would replace Saudi Arabia as the world’s leading oil producer by the end of the decade. Some analysts believe that the United States will stop importing oil as a result of the new supplies. The northern extension of the XL Pipeline is needed to transport “light tight oil” from Montana and other western states in addition to the heavy crude oil of the tar sands of Athabasca. 5. Oil From the Athabasca Tar Sands Will Be Produced Regardless
As the world price of oil has risen, unconventional sources of oil and natural gas have become economical. Approximately 1.7 million barrels per day of heavy crude oil was produced from the Athabasca oil sands in 2011, and production will increase in future years. The oil sands of Alberta account for 98% of Canada’s proven oil reserves (more than 188.7 billion barrels) – more than 30% of the GDP of Alberta – and generated more than $3 billion in royalties to the government in 2010 and 2011. Engineers project that the oil sands can sustain daily production of 2.5 million barrels for 186 years. As a result of the delays in approval for the Keystone XL Pipeline, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has proposed an alternative pipeline within Canadian borders that would carry the oil from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia to be shipped by tankers to China. 6. Controlling Access to the Canadian Oil Is Strategically Important to the United States
While domestic sources of petroleum have been rising, the need for energy is also increasing worldwide. Refining the tar sands oil within the United States for domestic use or export reinforces the economic cooperation between Canada and the United States while maintaining important options for the latter to direct the refined product to “friendly” allies. However, a Canadian pipeline to British Columbia as proposed by the Canadian Prime Minister eliminates potential oil resources and reduces United States influence. 7. A Pipeline Is the Best Way to Transport Oil Over Long Distances
The proposed Keystone XL Pipeline will transport approximately 800,000 barrels of crude per day, roughly the equivalent of 3,750 tanker truck loads, delivering a load every 25 seconds around the clock, not including those trucks in transit to and from refineries over highways and bridges badly in need of repair and replacement. Some have advocated railroad tanker cars to transport the oil if the pipeline is not approved. While more expensive, railroads offer delivery flexibility not available with a pipeline, simply by redirecting trains to different terminals. However, replacing the XL Pipeline’s capacity would require ten 225-car trains per day (five loaded and five unloaded), not including those trains in transit traveling in some cases more than 1,000 miles between loading and unloading. Each train would be approximately two and a quarter miles in length and require five to six locomotives with corresponding emissions. Also, pipelines have a lower spill rate per barrel transported than either trains, trucks, or barges.