A positive step for the Keystone XL Pipeline
Posted Mar 1, 2013 6:37 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Supporters of TransCanada’s Keystone XL Pipeline project have reason to smile today.
The US State Department has released its environmental assessment of the proposed line set to carry crude from the oilsands in Alberta to the US Gulf Coast and it appears to be positive for the project.
The report suggests it would not adversely affect the environment, unless a spill occurred, and that oilsands growth would continue regardless of the decision on Keystone.
But State Department Official Kerri-Ann Jones says the assessment is not coming to any kind of conclusion and is just trying to present the facts.
She says, “The purpose of this draft technical document is to be objective and to show all of the potential impacts and potential litigations that could be moved forward if this project were to go forward”
The State Department will be taking the report to the public for the next 45 days hoping to get insight.
After that period an official recommendation will be delivered to President Barack Obama who has the final say.
TransCanada President and CEO Russ Girling says the US needs oil and Canada has it.
He says the huge assessment has left no stone unturned when it comes to environmental concerns or any other concerns for that matter.
“As I look at the sections of this new draft report, it covers every question that has been raised in any sector by the media or by the opponents of the project. It addresses them head-on; it factually discusses them, which I think is what the purpose of this process is.”
He reiterates what many have said before, the oil is needed and the best way to move it is through a pipeline.
