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The Pros And Cons Of The Keystone Pipeline

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Introduction (Hook…. need to think this through better) The Keystone Pipeline has been debated for sometime now. Why is it so controversial? Many worry that it will intrude on property rights, while others believe that it will be a danger to the environment. Others believe that it’ll benefit the economy and will not have major impact on the environment. There is a lot of background information about the Keystone as well that it has an environmental and economic impacts. Body Main Point: (description and status) Subpoint: To start off, did anybody know that there was already a major, but smaller, pipeline going from Canada to the United States? The Keystone Pipeline that everyone is talking about is actually just a proposed project that will …show more content…

Many Canadians will be losing their jobs as well. Subpoint: property Maint Point: (environmental impact) There is a lot of controversy about the environmental effects of the pipeline. Many believe that it will not have a big change and others believe that it’ll be a disaster to the environment. Subpoint: Spills. On Environmental Analysis by Congressional Digest, The U.S. Department of State determined that the Keystone Pipeline would not have genuine difference on the environment. “Spill potential and response— spills could result from many causes, including corrosion (external or internal), excavation equipment, defects in materials or in construction, over pressuring the pipeline, and geologic hazards, such as ground movement, washouts, and flooding”. The pipeline will still be likely to have small leaks. However, they would be easier to clean up after they are discovered. They can be found during regular pipeline inspections. Patrols, staff and landowners will be able to identify any problems with leaks. There is a greater concern for sensitive areas such as wetlands and flowing stream and river. Also in shallow …show more content…

Like what is said above there is a risk for oil to get into the water and there is a lot of concern in the parts of the aquifers that are just below the Sand Hills and certain areas of the aquifer the water is near on at the surface Subpoint: Wildlife— There are two primary types of impacts that occur with a spill of crude oil Physical impacts— soil, sediments, plants, and animals can become coated with oil. When animals are covered in oil they can have difficulty feeding or obtaining oxygen toxicological impacts— crude oil may be toxic when ingested… “ingestion occurs typically when an oiled animal attempts to clean its fur or feathers

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