The Keystone Pipeline is a project that transports crude oil from Alberta all the way to Illinois and Oklahoma. This project was approved in the year 2007 by the National Energy Board. TransCanada has now proposed to expand the pipeline all the way to Houston, Texas. This has become a tremendous issue in our society today because not everyone supports this proposal. People are protesting against the expansion of the pipeline because of the environmental concerns they have. About 200 people had been arrested for protesting against this project. (Uechi, 2) .
Naomi Klein, a Canadian activist, who is completely against the expansion of the pipeline, says that it could contaminate drinking water since the pipeline would pass through the Ogallala Aquifer, which is one of the largest fresh water reserves in the world. (Uechi, 1) There is no doubt that there are going to be several oil spills and according to David Schindler, an ecology professor at the University of Alberta, the heavy crude oil contains very high levels of toxic compounds which could be the reason for cancer. (Inman, 2) Not only would it affect our water, it would also affect the wildlife by polluting the air and causing detriment to birds that are migrating. (Wiki, 6) .
The pipeline could also have a positive or a negative effect on our economy. Right now, 900,000 full-time and part-time jobs are expected and about $444 billion dollars in taxes to be paid to the government. (Collison, 1) Peter Howard, CERIs chief executive, believes that this could help the economy grow and the demand for oil to rise. (Collison, 1) Prime Minister, Stephen Harper believes that the economic benefits for both Canada and the US are massive and is confident that the pipeline will be built. (CBC, 1) However, the CEP president Dave Coles says They get the jobs and we end up with the environmental mess thats left over and believes that only America will benefit out of this.