The Pros And Cons Of Keystone Pipeline XL

Two main political issues today are the economy and the environment, a recent topic that involves these issues is the decision or lack thereof to go through with the Keystone pipeline XL. The pipeline stretches from Alberta, Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, via Texas and can provide immediate jobs and oil economic stimulation as well as economic stimulation for future generations. The problem is that while this project can mean a brighter future economically, it can also mean a darker future environmentally. Despite the possible environmental risks, the keystone pipeline XL project needs to be approved as it can provide energy security and a major economical stimulation for this generation and the next.

To gain perspective and eventually an opinion

First, there is often a misunderstanding of what crude oil is used for, “Crude oil is not exclusively used to produce gasoline. Crude oil is used to produce thousands of products that we use every day, not just gasoline and diesel. Crude oil feedstock is used to create the plastics that encase our cell phones and televisions, asphalt for our roads and even the latex gloves doctors use when delivering a baby.”(Myths & Facts-TC) One of the production company’s executives criticized the misinformed by saying, “The people suggesting that the oil Keystone XL will transport will be used to exclusively to make gasoline or diesel is simply a guess and they know that.” Another misconception is that all of the oil the United States produces, now and in the future, is mostly exported. The truth is, “The United States consumes the vast majority of its refined products The claim that ‘much of this oil is for export’ is actually contrary to the facts, market analysis and what actual refiners and customers of Keystone XL have said. The fact is the U.S. consumes the vast majority of all the refined products it produces. In 2012, only about 9% of U.S. refined on-road motor fuel was exported – the other 91 per cent was consumed in the United States first.” (Myths & Facts-TC) There are other myths about the pipeline that get portrayed as the truth, but they are not as vital as understanding the pros and cons of the entire

The first benefit that should be emphasized is the fact that this project is the definition of shovel ready. As soon as the project is approved nearly ten thousand jobs will be produced overnight. The U.S. State Department's Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement states that over forty two thousand American men and women would have their job directly or indirectly supported by the Keystone Pipeline XL project. (5 Reasons) With the unemployment rate still high, at 5.9% (Databases), any and all jobs are beneficial and over forty thousand new jobs will certainly have an