The Obama administration on August 26, 2011 issued a report clearing the environmental hurdles for 1,700-mile Keystone XL pipeline that will bring oil from tar sands in Alberta to refineries in TX through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. Calgary-based TransCanada will build the massive pipeline to ship 700,000 barrels of oil a day, doubling the capacity of an existing pipeline. Environmentalists and activists, including actress Margot Kidder, are demonstrating this week with a sit-in near the White House to express their displeasure, especially over the possibility of contamination of Ogallala Aquifer that provides groundwater to eight states. According to the critics of the prposed pipeline, the Keystone XL will cross over the Carrizo-Wilcox Acquifer in Texas, state's thrid-largest acquifer that supplies water to 60 counties and up to 12 million Texans. Critics often cite the danger that may arise out of a spill such as June 2010 Enbridge Energy oil spill that had dropped 840,000 gallons of hazardous oilsands crude into Kalamazoo River in Michigan. However, the supporters of the project claim that it will create 20,000 high-paying jobs during construction and thousands more in the following years. Also to buttress the security of the pipeline, they claim that the proposed project will comply 57 additional dafety conditions beyond what was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety office.
The anti-Keystone XL pipeline fervor reached a new peak on November 6, 2011 as thousands of environmentalists and other activists rallied at the Lafayette Square across the White House, and later formed a human chain around the White House. Speakers, including actor Mark Ruffalo, Presidential Medal of Freedom winner John Adams and NASA scientist James Hansen, addressed the crowd criticizing the 1,700-mile proposed pipeline that would bring oil from Western Canada's tar sands in Alberta to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur. On November 7, 2011, the US State Department's Deputy Inspector General Harold W. Geisel announced that IG of the department would look into Obama administration's handling of Calgary-based TransCanada Corp's $7 billion project. The announcement followed after the complaints of the Democratic lawmakers on how the administration was handling the permission process and a large demonstration of environmentalists at the capital's Lafayette Square.
On November 10, 2011, the US State Department announced that it would delay any decision to study the environmental impact the pipeline through an alternative route in order to bypass Nebraska Sandhills region and the state's huge Ogallala Aquifer.
On March 1, 2013, State Department issued a report which made clear that alternatives to building a pipeline such as using freight rail, barge and by road are worse. However, State Department didn't pass any judgment on the merit of building the pipeline.
On June 25, 2013, during a major climate change speech at the Georgetown University, President Obama said that he would order EPA to reject the $7 billion pipeline Keystone Pipeline Project if it increased the carbon dioxide emissions. The proposed pipeline aims to bring 800,000 barrels a day oil from Alberta's tar sand to Cushing, Oklahoma, where the second leg of the pipeline, which has been already approved and the construction has been proceeding, will carry the oil to the Gulf Coast in Texas.
A study released by a prestigious energy research firm, IHS CERA, predicted that the carbon dioxide emission from the Gulf refineries would not be higher for the oils to be transported by the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from the Alberta tar sands relative to that of other sources such as Venezuela. The report issued on August 11, 2013 came as a relief to the Keystone backers as President Obama had said in a major climate-related speech on June 25 that he would oppose Keystone if the project increased emission.
On January 22, 2014, the southern portion of Keystone XL pipeline became operational.
On January 31, 2014, the U.S. State Department issued an "environment impact" report that cleared the way for Obama administration to okay the northern part of Keystone XL pipeline that would bring 830,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta's tar sand to Gulf Coast refineries. The environment impact report that stated no potential exacerbation of greenhouse gas emissions from the planned pipeline now goes to Secretary of State John Kerry for final recommendation.
A Nebraska Ruling Goes Against Pipeline
A Nebraska state judge, Lancaster County Judge Stephanie Stacy, on February 19, 2014 struck down Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman's approval of eminent domain to help Calgary-based TransCanada to acquire land in future for pipeline construction related to Keystone XL project. Instead the powers of eminent domain reside with Nebraska Public Service Commission, according to the judge's ruling. The ruling handed out a victory to environmentalists and land owners.
Obama Administration Delays Ruling on Keystone
Citing legal wrangling that was winding its way through Nebraska's legal establishment, Obama administration on April 18, 2014 delayed its own decision on whether to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. However, it was clear to pundits and politicians alike that the administration might be buying time and trying to make a hard call on an issue that divides vertically his traditional allies--on one side of the debate, there is strong lobby of environmentalists and on the other side, it's the labor--in the run-up to November 2014 midterm elections.
House Approves Keystone Pipeline
Upon returning from a big mid-term victory that would hand over the control of the U.S. Senate to the GOP, Republicans made a concerted push to pass a YES vote on the Keystone XL pipeline. The stake became suddenly higher as the Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu is in a tough fight with the House sponsor of the bill, Rep. Bill Cassidy, in the December 6, 2014, run-up elections. The House of Representatives okayed construction of pipeline on November 14, 2014 by 252-161 votes.
Keystone Approval Stumbles in the Senate Procedural Hurdles
Senate on November 18, 2014 blocked Keystone XL from moving forward as a bill brought by Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu failed to cross the procedural hurdle of 60 votes. The measure received 59 votes, and 41 Senators, all of them are Democrats, voted against it.
Obama under Pressure on Keystone Pipeline
Obama administration came under pressure on January 9, 2015 on approving the Keystone XL pipeline from two fronts: legal and legislative.
Nebraska Supreme Court on January 9 issued an order giving go-ahead to begin construction of the pipeline through the state, a hurdle often mentioned by the Obama administration for putting on hold on any decision regarding the pipeline.
On the same day, House of Representatives voted 266-153 for the construction of pipeline that would ship 830,000 barrels of oil per day from the tar sands in Canada's Alberta province to Gulf of Mexico refineries in Texas.
Senate Passes Keystone Measure
The U.S. Senate on January 29, 2015 approved the construction of Keystone XL pipeline by 62-36 votes. Nine Democrats joined with 53 Republicans to approve the measure. However, the vote still fell short of presidential veto-proof majority. The measure calls for constructing an 1,179-mile network of pipeline that will bring oil from Canada's tar sands in Alberta through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska where it will connect with an existing pipeline to carry 800,000 barrels of oil to refineries in Texas. Now, the bill goes to the House for re-conciliation with a House-passed bill, or House may take up the Senate version and approve it.
House Endorses the Senate Changes, Passes the Keystone Bill
Taking up the Senate-approved legislation, the House of Representatives on February 11, 2015 passed the Keystone XL pipeline construction bill with 270-to-152 votes. Now the measure goes to President Obama's desk, and the president is all but certain to veto this controversial measure.
President Vetoes the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill
As expected and without any surprise, President Barack Obama on February 24, 2015 used his veto pen, thus putting a nail in the coffin of the fate of Keystone XL Pipeline bill.
Senate Fails to Override Presidential Veto
As expected, the US Senate failed on March 4, 2015 to override the February 24, 2015, presidential veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline bill Congress had passed. The vote, 62-37, fell five votes short of two-third needed for veto-proof threshold.
President Obama Nixes the Keystone Pipeline
After getting recommendation from the State Department that the proposed Keystone Pipeline would not enhance national security, President Barack Obama on November 6, 2015 killed the pipeline. Although the proposed pipeline's impact on either permanent job creation or permanent damage to the climate would be minimal, President Obama cited American leadership in leading the fight against climate change as the reason to reject the pipeline.
The anti-Keystone XL pipeline fervor reached a new peak on November 6, 2011 as thousands of environmentalists and other activists rallied at the Lafayette Square across the White House, and later formed a human chain around the White House. Speakers, including actor Mark Ruffalo, Presidential Medal of Freedom winner John Adams and NASA scientist James Hansen, addressed the crowd criticizing the 1,700-mile proposed pipeline that would bring oil from Western Canada's tar sands in Alberta to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur. On November 7, 2011, the US State Department's Deputy Inspector General Harold W. Geisel announced that IG of the department would look into Obama administration's handling of Calgary-based TransCanada Corp's $7 billion project. The announcement followed after the complaints of the Democratic lawmakers on how the administration was handling the permission process and a large demonstration of environmentalists at the capital's Lafayette Square.
On November 10, 2011, the US State Department announced that it would delay any decision to study the environmental impact the pipeline through an alternative route in order to bypass Nebraska Sandhills region and the state's huge Ogallala Aquifer.
On March 1, 2013, State Department issued a report which made clear that alternatives to building a pipeline such as using freight rail, barge and by road are worse. However, State Department didn't pass any judgment on the merit of building the pipeline.
On June 25, 2013, during a major climate change speech at the Georgetown University, President Obama said that he would order EPA to reject the $7 billion pipeline Keystone Pipeline Project if it increased the carbon dioxide emissions. The proposed pipeline aims to bring 800,000 barrels a day oil from Alberta's tar sand to Cushing, Oklahoma, where the second leg of the pipeline, which has been already approved and the construction has been proceeding, will carry the oil to the Gulf Coast in Texas.
A study released by a prestigious energy research firm, IHS CERA, predicted that the carbon dioxide emission from the Gulf refineries would not be higher for the oils to be transported by the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from the Alberta tar sands relative to that of other sources such as Venezuela. The report issued on August 11, 2013 came as a relief to the Keystone backers as President Obama had said in a major climate-related speech on June 25 that he would oppose Keystone if the project increased emission.
On January 22, 2014, the southern portion of Keystone XL pipeline became operational.
On January 31, 2014, the U.S. State Department issued an "environment impact" report that cleared the way for Obama administration to okay the northern part of Keystone XL pipeline that would bring 830,000 barrels of oil a day from Alberta's tar sand to Gulf Coast refineries. The environment impact report that stated no potential exacerbation of greenhouse gas emissions from the planned pipeline now goes to Secretary of State John Kerry for final recommendation.
A Nebraska Ruling Goes Against Pipeline
A Nebraska state judge, Lancaster County Judge Stephanie Stacy, on February 19, 2014 struck down Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman's approval of eminent domain to help Calgary-based TransCanada to acquire land in future for pipeline construction related to Keystone XL project. Instead the powers of eminent domain reside with Nebraska Public Service Commission, according to the judge's ruling. The ruling handed out a victory to environmentalists and land owners.
Obama Administration Delays Ruling on Keystone
Citing legal wrangling that was winding its way through Nebraska's legal establishment, Obama administration on April 18, 2014 delayed its own decision on whether to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline. However, it was clear to pundits and politicians alike that the administration might be buying time and trying to make a hard call on an issue that divides vertically his traditional allies--on one side of the debate, there is strong lobby of environmentalists and on the other side, it's the labor--in the run-up to November 2014 midterm elections.
House Approves Keystone Pipeline
Upon returning from a big mid-term victory that would hand over the control of the U.S. Senate to the GOP, Republicans made a concerted push to pass a YES vote on the Keystone XL pipeline. The stake became suddenly higher as the Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu is in a tough fight with the House sponsor of the bill, Rep. Bill Cassidy, in the December 6, 2014, run-up elections. The House of Representatives okayed construction of pipeline on November 14, 2014 by 252-161 votes.
Keystone Approval Stumbles in the Senate Procedural Hurdles
Senate on November 18, 2014 blocked Keystone XL from moving forward as a bill brought by Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu failed to cross the procedural hurdle of 60 votes. The measure received 59 votes, and 41 Senators, all of them are Democrats, voted against it.
Obama under Pressure on Keystone Pipeline
Obama administration came under pressure on January 9, 2015 on approving the Keystone XL pipeline from two fronts: legal and legislative.
Nebraska Supreme Court on January 9 issued an order giving go-ahead to begin construction of the pipeline through the state, a hurdle often mentioned by the Obama administration for putting on hold on any decision regarding the pipeline.
On the same day, House of Representatives voted 266-153 for the construction of pipeline that would ship 830,000 barrels of oil per day from the tar sands in Canada's Alberta province to Gulf of Mexico refineries in Texas.
Senate Passes Keystone Measure
The U.S. Senate on January 29, 2015 approved the construction of Keystone XL pipeline by 62-36 votes. Nine Democrats joined with 53 Republicans to approve the measure. However, the vote still fell short of presidential veto-proof majority. The measure calls for constructing an 1,179-mile network of pipeline that will bring oil from Canada's tar sands in Alberta through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska where it will connect with an existing pipeline to carry 800,000 barrels of oil to refineries in Texas. Now, the bill goes to the House for re-conciliation with a House-passed bill, or House may take up the Senate version and approve it.
House Endorses the Senate Changes, Passes the Keystone Bill
Taking up the Senate-approved legislation, the House of Representatives on February 11, 2015 passed the Keystone XL pipeline construction bill with 270-to-152 votes. Now the measure goes to President Obama's desk, and the president is all but certain to veto this controversial measure.
President Vetoes the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill
As expected and without any surprise, President Barack Obama on February 24, 2015 used his veto pen, thus putting a nail in the coffin of the fate of Keystone XL Pipeline bill.
Senate Fails to Override Presidential Veto
As expected, the US Senate failed on March 4, 2015 to override the February 24, 2015, presidential veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline bill Congress had passed. The vote, 62-37, fell five votes short of two-third needed for veto-proof threshold.
President Obama Nixes the Keystone Pipeline
After getting recommendation from the State Department that the proposed Keystone Pipeline would not enhance national security, President Barack Obama on November 6, 2015 killed the pipeline. Although the proposed pipeline's impact on either permanent job creation or permanent damage to the climate would be minimal, President Obama cited American leadership in leading the fight against climate change as the reason to reject the pipeline.
Keystone XL Pipeline Project Shelved
TC Energy on June 9, 2021 announced that it was ending the Keystone XL pipeline construction.
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