The uncompleted Keystone XL Pipeline is intended to transport Canadian tar sands oil through our northern states to refineries in Texas and distribution centers across the US. Keystone would cross six states and several major rivers including the Yellowstone, Missouri and Red Rivers. It is also located near the Ogallala Aquifer which supplies water to 25% of America’s irrigated land and drinking water for two million Americans. When tar sands oil spills into a waterway, it is much more difficult to clean up than conventional oil since it sinks rather than floats. In fact, there is currently no proven method for cleaning up this type of spill. In 2010, 843,000 gallons of tar sands oil spilled from a pipeline into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. After spending more than 4 years and a billion dollars in cleanup efforts, its impacts still linger on today. In 2020, a federal judge sided with environmental groups, requiring that new oil and gas pipelines must undergo a lengthy permitting and regulation process in order to build across bodies of water.

Opponents say dirty tar sands oil is an example of the type of fossil fuel which must be left in the ground if global warming is to be controlled. Keystone supporters have recently sponsored legislation to continue construction of this project, saying this project will create 11,000 jobs and reduce our dependence on imported oil.

In a recent executive order aimed at combating climate change, President Biden has revoked the permit for continuing the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Pending Legislation: H.R.684 - To authorize the Keystone XL Pipeline
Sponsor: Rep. Kelly Armstrong (ND-At Large)
Status: Multiple House Committees for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
House Speaker: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA)