THE KEYSTONE XL CONTROVERSY:
CONS, PROS, AND THE
UNCERTAIN FUTURE

» 2021 tries to put the pipeline in its grave once again

Janis McMath
Editor-in-Chief

 

Cmdians were certainly glued to their screens when America finished their recent election—which was one of the most
controversial American elections ever, along with achieving the most votes ever cast in a US election. After finishing our
binge-watching of the historic election, Canada immediately felt the impact of the results. One of Biden's campaign promises
was to shut down the Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline when he first entered office; Biden delivered on some of his promises during
his first day in office. Reactions from Canadians range from overjoyed environmental activists, to our PM Justin Trudeau calling it
disappointing, and even Alberta Premier Jason Kenny calling it a “gut punch.” The pipeline faced a similar issue when Obama
was first in office as he also shut KXL down in 2015. Is this death blow different?

 

While Biden's actions will certainly garner
applause from some, others are red with frustration
at the losses this action will bring Canada—and
specifically Alberta, as their premier Jason Kenney
is demanding economic retaliation. Kenney states
that Alberta has put about 1.5-billion dollars into the
project, so he is seeking reimbursement for Alberta
(and TC Energy, which owns Keystone XL) as he sees
Biden's act as a clear violation of the Canada-US-
Mexico Trade Agreement.

A common observation of Biden’s move is that
it sets a dangerous precedent in cancelling of other
major projects without negotiation or fair discussion.
Some speculate that it could end other pipelines
and incentivize Biden to bring in “Buy America”
policies which would freeze out Canadian products
and damage our economy. Others call this foolish
as the US has a vested interest in the completion of
those projects, but just not so much in Keystone XL.
An expert on energy law pointed out in an interview
with CBC News that Keystone XL was a very unique
situation as the permit was done by executive order,
and could be revoked at any time because of such.

The idea that America doesn’t have a lot to gain
from the Keystone XL pipeline is hotly contested.
Canada already sends America 550,000 barrels of

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

 

cc

With claims that carbon pollution essentially
exclusively comes from oil and gas, the likely end
of Keystone XL is seen as greatly beneficial.