Information Source Richardson, John H. ” Keystone.” Esquire September 2012; 179 – 191. Print.

The Keystone Pipeline: Pros Oil Supply The Keystone Pipeline will carry 1 million barrels per day to the Texas Gulf Coast. 5 million barrels per day projected level of production over the next two decades, from a stable, reliable source that is one of the US’ most valued trading partners. The world consumes 30 billion barrels of oil annually.

The Keystone Pipeline: Pros Economic Benefits $1.7 trillion estimated benefit to the Canadian economy over the next 25 years. $45 billion per year estimated benefit to the U. S. economy.

The Keystone Pipeline: Pros Jobs Half a million jobs created in the US by the year – 20,000 short term construction jobs to build the pipeline. CO 2 emissions Production activities at the oil sands produce only.15% of the world’s CO 2 emissions.

Supporters Republicans in the US Congress, and the Republican Party in general. The United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (AFL-CIO). Oil Companies and their employees. American consumers, and consumers worldwide, generally speaking - all producers and consumers are concerned with the cost of fuel and other products based upon oil.

Keystone Pipeline Cons Global environmental concerns “Adding this (production of oil from the oil sands) on top of conventional fossil fuels will leave our children and grandchildren a climate system with consequences that are beyond their control.” – many leading US scientists were signers, including scientists from NASA, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, the University of Chicago, and leading US scientific institutes.

Keystone Pipeline Cons Local environmental concerns “Every spring thaw is the equivalent of an oil spill” – University of Alberta study of the impacts of oil sands production on the surrounding environment. Rapidly increasing levels of increase of toxic chemicals in the river downstream: fourfold increase in arsenic and lead, eightfold increase in mercury.

Keystone Pipeline Cons

Local environmental concerns Cancer rate in local population 30 percent higher than the rest of Alberta. Four times more leukemia and lymphoma, six times more bile-duct cancer. Deformed fish with tumors the size of eggs, duck kills, declining caribou populations.

Keystone Pipeline Cons US environmental concerns Potential contamination of the Ogallala Aquifer. (Provides water supply for western Great Plains from South Dakota to the Big Bend of Texas) Reduced air quality in Houston and other Texas cities as a result of increased refinery activity. Reduced air quality everywhere gasoline is sold.

Detractors The Canadian First Nations. Scientists and environmentalists concerned with climate change. Farmers, ranchers and communities dependent on the Ogallala Aquifer. this group includes the same consumers who drive the demand for oil and its’ products. Everyone concerned with environmental impacts on quality of life in Canada, the US, Texas specifically, and the rest of the world – this group includes the same consumers who drive the demand for oil and its’ products.