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| Keystone XL pipeline: Why is it so disputed? | Keystone XL pipeline: Why is it so disputed? |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| As the US Congress debates legislation to approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, President Barack Obama continues to take a "dim view" of the bill. | As the US Congress debates legislation to approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline, President Barack Obama continues to take a "dim view" of the bill. |
| The project has pitted Republicans and other supporters, who say it will create much needed jobs, against many Democrats and environmentalists, who warn the pipeline will add to carbon emissions and contribute to global warming. | The project has pitted Republicans and other supporters, who say it will create much needed jobs, against many Democrats and environmentalists, who warn the pipeline will add to carbon emissions and contribute to global warming. |
| What is the Keystone XL? | What is the Keystone XL? |
| The Keystone XL pipeline is a proposed 1,179-mile (1,897km) pipe that would run from the oil sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Steele City, Nebraska. A large pipe would carry 830,000 barrels of oil each day. | |
| The proposed XL pipeline has the same origin and destination as an operational pipe, also called Keystone - granted presidential permit in 2008 by President George W Bush - but takes a more direct route. The XL pipeline would allow for an increased supply of oil from Canada. | The proposed XL pipeline has the same origin and destination as an operational pipe, also called Keystone - granted presidential permit in 2008 by President George W Bush - but takes a more direct route. The XL pipeline would allow for an increased supply of oil from Canada. |
| A section running south from Cushing in Oklahoma to the Gulf opened in January 2014. At the coast there are additional refineries and ports from which the oil can be exported. | A section running south from Cushing in Oklahoma to the Gulf opened in January 2014. At the coast there are additional refineries and ports from which the oil can be exported. |
| The pipeline would be a privately financed project, with the cost of construction shared between TransCanada, an energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, and other oil shippers. US-produced oil, albeit less than Canadian, would also be transported by Keystone XL. | The pipeline would be a privately financed project, with the cost of construction shared between TransCanada, an energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, and other oil shippers. US-produced oil, albeit less than Canadian, would also be transported by Keystone XL. |
| Why do the US and Canada want this project? | Why do the US and Canada want this project? |
| Canada already sends 550,000 barrels of oil per day to the US via the existing Keystone Pipeline. The oil fields in Alberta are landlocked and as they are further developed, require means of access to international markets. Many of North America's oil refineries are based in the Gulf Coast, and industry groups on both sides of the border want to benefit. | Canada already sends 550,000 barrels of oil per day to the US via the existing Keystone Pipeline. The oil fields in Alberta are landlocked and as they are further developed, require means of access to international markets. Many of North America's oil refineries are based in the Gulf Coast, and industry groups on both sides of the border want to benefit. |
| An increased supply of oil from Canada would mean a decreased dependency on the Middle Eastern market. According to market principles, the more oil in the market, the lower the price for consumers. | An increased supply of oil from Canada would mean a decreased dependency on the Middle Eastern market. According to market principles, the more oil in the market, the lower the price for consumers. |
| The infrastructure project would create 42,000 jobs over a two-year construction period, the US State Department estimates - 50 of which would remain after the pipeline is built. | The infrastructure project would create 42,000 jobs over a two-year construction period, the US State Department estimates - 50 of which would remain after the pipeline is built. |
| What's been approved? | What's been approved? |
| The Canadian National Energy Board approved the Keystone XL pipeline in March 2010. Because the XL pipeline crosses the US/Canada border, the project requires presidential permit prior to construction. | The Canadian National Energy Board approved the Keystone XL pipeline in March 2010. Because the XL pipeline crosses the US/Canada border, the project requires presidential permit prior to construction. |
| It was expected that Mr Obama would approve the project at that time, but Congress demanded action within 60 days, and the US leader turned it down citing an inadequate environmental assessment. | It was expected that Mr Obama would approve the project at that time, but Congress demanded action within 60 days, and the US leader turned it down citing an inadequate environmental assessment. |
| In the meantime, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) weighed in on the project, encouraging Mr Obama not to approve the pipeline. EPA regulations themselves wouldn't block construction, but litigators could use the EPA to stop construction, even after it is approved by the president. | In the meantime, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) weighed in on the project, encouraging Mr Obama not to approve the pipeline. EPA regulations themselves wouldn't block construction, but litigators could use the EPA to stop construction, even after it is approved by the president. |
| On Friday, the House voted 252 to 161 to approve a new bill to build the Keystone XL pipeline. On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on the same. | On Friday, the House voted 252 to 161 to approve a new bill to build the Keystone XL pipeline. On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on the same. |
| Why is there opposition? | Why is there opposition? |
| The Keystone XL pipeline has become a controversial project for a number of reasons. | The Keystone XL pipeline has become a controversial project for a number of reasons. |
| While the US State Department initially said in 2011 Keystone XL would not have significant adverse effects on the environment, that same year the same department determined TransCanada would need to assess alternative routes in Nebraska because the Sandhills region is a fragile ecosystem. Beyond the risks of spillage, the pipeline means a commitment to develop Alberta's oil sands. | While the US State Department initially said in 2011 Keystone XL would not have significant adverse effects on the environment, that same year the same department determined TransCanada would need to assess alternative routes in Nebraska because the Sandhills region is a fragile ecosystem. Beyond the risks of spillage, the pipeline means a commitment to develop Alberta's oil sands. |
| Despite the recent push to find renewable sources of energy and move away from fossil fuels, the amount of oil produced in northern Alberta is projected to double by 2030. | Despite the recent push to find renewable sources of energy and move away from fossil fuels, the amount of oil produced in northern Alberta is projected to double by 2030. |
| It's argued by some that by developing the oil sands, fossil fuels will be readily available and the trend toward warming of the atmosphere won't be curbed. | It's argued by some that by developing the oil sands, fossil fuels will be readily available and the trend toward warming of the atmosphere won't be curbed. |
| Mr Obama's decision to approve or refuse the pipeline is therefore held up as symbolic of America's energy future. | Mr Obama's decision to approve or refuse the pipeline is therefore held up as symbolic of America's energy future. |
| In the here and now, more energy is required to extract oil from the Alberta oil sands than in traditional drilling, and Environment Canada says it has found industry chemicals seeping into ground water and the Athabasca River. | In the here and now, more energy is required to extract oil from the Alberta oil sands than in traditional drilling, and Environment Canada says it has found industry chemicals seeping into ground water and the Athabasca River. |
| This risk to local communities is one of the reasons many have opposed the project. A group called the Cowboy-Indian Alliance marched on the US Capitol earlier this year, citing destruction of local environments. | This risk to local communities is one of the reasons many have opposed the project. A group called the Cowboy-Indian Alliance marched on the US Capitol earlier this year, citing destruction of local environments. |
| First Nations groups in Northern Alberta have even gone so far as to sue the provincial and federal government for damages from 15 years of oil sands development they were not consulted on, including treaty-guaranteed rights to hunt, trap and fish on traditional lands. | First Nations groups in Northern Alberta have even gone so far as to sue the provincial and federal government for damages from 15 years of oil sands development they were not consulted on, including treaty-guaranteed rights to hunt, trap and fish on traditional lands. |
| What happens next? | What happens next? |
| On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on the bill to approve Keystone XL, at which point a bill approved by both Houses could land on the president's desk. | On Tuesday, the Senate will vote on the bill to approve Keystone XL, at which point a bill approved by both Houses could land on the president's desk. |
| "It is time for America to become energy independent and that is impossible without the Keystone pipeline and other pipelines like it," said Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who introduced the bill in May and is facing an election run-off for her seat. | "It is time for America to become energy independent and that is impossible without the Keystone pipeline and other pipelines like it," said Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who introduced the bill in May and is facing an election run-off for her seat. |
| The Obama administration has been weighing for six years whether to approve the pipeline but could now wait for the conclusion of a legal battle in Nebraska. | The Obama administration has been weighing for six years whether to approve the pipeline but could now wait for the conclusion of a legal battle in Nebraska. |
| "The administration has taken a dim view of these kinds of legislative proposals in the past," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. | "The administration has taken a dim view of these kinds of legislative proposals in the past," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. |
| Having taken control of both houses of Congress, Republicans have threatened to cut funding to undermine the EPA. | Having taken control of both houses of Congress, Republicans have threatened to cut funding to undermine the EPA. |
| Reporting by Micah Luxen | Reporting by Micah Luxen |