Keystone XL Pipeline

Since it was proposed by, TransCanada in 2005, the Keystone XL pipeline has been the subject of much controversy.  The pipeline was designed to move oil from Alberta across the United States and Canadian border, into North and South Dakota, and then Nebraska. The pipeline was estimated to create over 40,000 jobs. Most of the jobs however would be temporary. Nearly 4,000 of those jobs however would be given to construction workers while the rest would be given to “support jobs” (New York Times). The majority of the opposition of the pipeline came from environmental concerns. Rather than, use traditional means of obtaining oil the pipeline would extract, “oil from the Alberta sands…requiring far more fuel, water, and carbon emissions” (New York Times). The substantial environmental concerns have been the measure’s main opposition for passage.

The measure was voted upon yesterday by the Senate, were the current Democratic majority was able to defeat the measure by a single vote. In order to pass the measure would need 60 votes. The entire Republican minority of the Senate, voted for the measure’s passage that however was not enough. President Obama, was most likely going to veto the measure had it been passed. Obama’s opposition of the measure was based on the negative environmental effects it would have had on the environment. Mitch McConnell who will become the majority leader in January is adamant, the measure regarding the Keystone pipeline will return to the Senate floor very soon (Reuters).

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/us/politics/what-does-the-proposed-keystone-xl-pipeline-entail.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/19/us-usa-keystone-idUSKCN0J20EQ20141119