Keystone Pipeline Case Study

The Keystone XL: A Multi-layered Policy Issue The Keystone XL, a pipeline purposed by TransCanada Keystone Pipeline would carry Canadian crude oil to American refineries. “A new study by the consulting firm IHS found that most of the oil transported through the pipeline would be refined and consumed within the U.S” . The company primarily responsible for the project has made several major adjustments to its original plan to make it more conducive to the wishes of pipeline opponents. The proposal has touched multiple levels of government in the United States and excited an array of lobby groups since 2012. At first glance, the issue appears to be primarily a dispute between an oil company after a larger profit and environmentalists fearing leaks could result in damages to the flora and fauna surrounding the pipe. Further inspection indicates an issue with roots that extend from federal down to the state governments. The political parties have taken sides - TransCanada appears to have Republican support because it would reduce the United States dependence on oil from the Middle East while Democratic …show more content…
The Executive Branch is still involved: Congress has already passed a bill in favor of the pipeline, which was vetoed by President Obama . “The oil and gas industry, environmental groups, construction groups and building trade unions gave more than $232.3 million to lawmakers last year alone, according to data compiled by OpenSecrets” . The jobs the pipeline would bring are a major benefit anticipated by pipeline proponents. “Republicans chastised Obama for vetoing legislation to approve the 1,179-mile pipeline that would bring oil sands from Alberta, Canada to refineries near the U.S. Gulf Coast… for shutting down a project that would make the U.S. less dependent on oil from OPEC, Russia and other unfriendly nations”