NAN-F-24
Pipeline
Washington, Jan. 27, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Pipeline operator, TransCanada, has submitted a new application to the US State Department to build the Keystone XL Pipeline, the company said on Thursday.
The move follows US President Donald Trump’s decision on Tuesday to advance construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which was blocked by his predecessor, Barack Obama, over environmental concerns.
In a news release, TransCanada President and Chief Executive, Russ Girling, said the Keystone XL project would create tens of thousands of well-paying jobs and spur the economies of both countries.
In addition to the direct and indirect jobs expected to be created, the Keystone XL is projected to contribute approximately 3.4 billion dollars to the US GDP, according to the news release.
It would also strengthen US energy security by giving the US access to an abundant energy resource produced by its neighbour to the north, which “shares a commitment to a clean and healthy environment,’’” TransCanada stated.
The proposed Keystone XL pipeline would carry oil from Canada’s tar sands in Alberta to the Midwestern state of Nebraska, where an existing pipeline would carry the Canadian oil to refineries in Texas on the US Gulf Coast.
The existing part of the Keystone pipeline has been in operation since 2010.
The proposed expansion would be 1,900 kilometres long and carry up to 830,000 barrels a day.
Environmentalists fear that construction of the pipeline could heighten greenhouse gas emissions and they are concerned about leaks.
In early 2016, TransCanada sued the US government for 15 billion dollars over investment it already made in the project after Obama put a stop to it.
The company also accused him of violating the constitution by taking the action singularly. (DPA/NAN)
AIB/AMY
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Abdullahi Yusuf