Crude Shipments Begin in Keystone Pipeline's Southern Leg
January 22, 2014
National Journal
Commercial shipments of crude oil began moving through the southern leg of TransCanada's Keystone pipeline on Wednesday, even though the project's proposed northern extension is still awaiting approval.
Commercial shipments of crude oil began moving through the southern leg of TransCanada's Keystone pipeline on Wednesday, even though the project's proposed northern extension is still awaiting approval.
The southern half of the pipeline, otherwise known as the Gulf Coast Project, runs from Cushing, Okla., to Port Arthur, Texas. Because it does not cross an international boundary, TransCanada didn't need approval from the State Department to construct the pipeline. The northern leg, on the other hand, requires a permit from State because it would pass over the U.S. border with Canada to reach Alberta's oil sands.
Once the department completes a final environmental assessment of the northern extension, President Obama will have final say over whether the pipeline is permitted. The president has said he will not approve the northern half of the project unless it does not significantly add to atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide.
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