Keystone XL Pipeline
OUR ENERGY FUTURE
• Americans need affordable access to oil and gas to support our economy, security and future
prosperity.
• The U.S. should develop domestic energy resources to meet growing demand.
• At the same time, we should foster strong energy relationships with friendly producers, like
Canada, who has the third largest resource supplies in the world.
• The Keystone XL pipeline would create a direct connection between Canada’s oil sands and U.S.
refineries in the Gulf coast—increasing our energy security, creating jobs, and stimulating
economic growth.
• The Keystone XL pipeline will be designed to be state-of-the-art and prove to be the most efficient
way to get Canadian oil sands crude to the refineries in the Gulf coast.
• The pipeline would not only bring Canadian oil to the Gulf coast but also bring domestic supplies to
Texas refineries. Along its way, it would bring much-needed oil, create jobs and stimulate growth.
• It is vital that the Obama Administration approve this pipeline as soon as possible.
A KEY TO FUTURE ENERGY SECURITY
• Canada has the third most reserves in the world; including 170 billion barrels of recoverable oil from
oil sands.
• Creating a direct link between these resources and the U.S. market means a massive influx of safe,
stable, near-domestic oil to fuel our economy and lives.
• Canada and the U.S. share more than just a long border. We share many of the same fundamental
values, including a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and environmental stewardship.
• We can count on Canadian oil for decades to come. Why depend on unfriendly or unstable regions
when we could rely on our closest trade and security partner?
ECONOMIC BENEFITS
• If completed, the Keystone XL pipeline would have a significant, positive impact on U.S. jobs and
growth.
• Reliable energy costs and new jobs, infrastructure spending and other economic activities related to
oil sands development would help to boost the economy as a whole.
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• A study by the Energy Policy Research Foundation, Inc. (EPRINC), found that oil sands crude could
bring $100 to $600 million to the U.S. economy annually; Keystone XL alone could contribute $20
billion to the U.S. economy.
• The Keystone XL pipeline would provide a huge number of good U.S. jobs, including contracting
jobs during construction and well-paid energy sector jobs once operational.
• A recent Canadian Energy Research Institute study found that full utilization of the Canadian oil
sands could support as many as 600,000 new American jobs by 2035.
MISPLACED OPPOSITION
• Pipeline opposition is driven largely by unfounded environmental concerns or parochial interests.
• Oil sands greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are comparable to those of other average crude oils
already refined in the U.S.
• The Alberta government has some of the most stringent oil development regulations in the world.
• Pipelines are among the safest ways to transport fuels over long distances.
THE ROAD AHEAD
• Keystone XL approval falls to the Administration, which should issue a final environmental impact
statement (EIS) in August; other departments will have 90 days to weigh in on the national interest
determination. During the first 30 days, additional public comments will be considered and eight
more public hearings will be held.
• A final decision on the pipeline is expected by the end of 2011.
• It is imperative that your legislator lets the State Department know how important the Keystone XL
pipeline is to our economy and energy security—and to your town.
• Now is the time to seize this rare chance to transform our energy future and boost our economy.
For more information, visit the Energy Citizens "Oil Sands" issue page.
QUESTIONS FOR LEGISLATORS
• Do you support the Keystone XL pipeline? What are your reasons for support/opposition?
• Viable clean energy is decades away, and the oil status quo is untenable. If you don’t support the
Keystone XL pipeline, what viable alternatives do you propose?
• If you do not support approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, will you support expansion of
domestic production through increased exploration and development? If not, how do you
propose we meet our energy needs in the years and decades to come?
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